On week 4’s agenda was the genre sci-fi, fitting as that is the genre I picked for my second project brief. In my sketch and exegeses I look at how science fiction has evolved from being maligned in the classical Hollywood period into a highly desirable blockbuster genre in the contemporary era of Hollywood Cinema.

Diana Sandars attributed the genres rise to the success of films like Star Wars: A New Hope (George Lucas, 1977) which explore the futuristic and imaginative possibilities of humankind. She writes that ‘Science fiction relies heavily on the latest innovations in cinematic technologies to dazzle the audience both with the realistic images of fantasy realms and their non-human inhabitants and to render the audience awe struck by the film’s ability to bring fantasy scapes to life’ (Sandars, 2003).  It is these fantasy scapes combined with ‘pleasures of the imagination’ which make sci-fi so refreshing and entertaining. That is why I like it so much, it makes the impossible possible yet keeps it logical.

One question I explored through my sketch was the following: can Sci-fi represent/unearth conflict in the present world? And are they code for what is happening now or what is going to happen? In our Week 4 reading, Lynda K. Bundtzen discussed the film Aliens (James Cameron, 1986) and argues it is ‘a profoundly disturbing allegory about contemporary feminism’ (Bundtzen, 1987). I have to agree after we watched the film for ourselves during class. It is interesting that the film actually holds greater meaning on another level, and is not just about ‘aliens’. The reading for this week gave in-depth insight into the topic of feminism, and shows the relevant political meaning can be embedded in science fiction films. I believe my sketch hints  at these political possibilities, although it is so short not much could be included.

Sci-Fi explores the unthinkable while also identifying the fears and feelings of present day Earth. This is what I believe makes it relevant and so polarizing as a genre. It was a great genre to have such a close look at!

I have included my sketch(a 1 minute audio piece) below for your viewing!

Sci-Fi Sketch

References:

  • Sandars, D. (2003). Astonish Me. Australian Screen Education, (33), pp.50(6).
  • Bundtzen, Lynda K. (1987). Monstrous mothers: Medusa, Grendel, and now Alien. Film Quarterly, 40 (3), pp. 1117.