Science Fiction Cinema: From Outerspace to Cyberspace

King, Geoff, and Tanya Krzywinska. Science Fiction Cinema: From Outerspace to Cyberspace. London: Wallflower, 2000. In the series Short Cuts: Introductions to Film Studies.

Contents • Introduction: Spectacle and Speculation 1. Defining Science Fiction: Narrative Themes 2. Industrial Light and Magic 2. Case Study: STAR WARS: Episode 1 — The Phantom Menace • Glossary • Filmography • Bibliography (Divided into Essential Reading, briefly annotated; and Secondary Reading)

Illustrations from

FLASH GORDON
THINGS TO COME
THE INCREDIBLE SHRINKING MAN
BACK TO THE FUTURE
METROPOLIS
TANK GIRL
BARBARELLA
TRON

(No Index)

Under "Narrative Themes" is a section "Humanity versus Science, Technology and Rationality" with a few sentences indicating the relevance of Krzywinska and King's analysis for users of this Wiki.

One key opposition found in science fiction films is between the 'human' and the products of science*, technology* and rationality* [with the italics and asterisks indicating the terms are defined in the glossary]. The elements of a science fiction film might be lined up on one side of this opposition or the other. The central figure is likely to be representative of the human. Other elements, including aliens, computers and cyborgs, might represent an alternative of one kind or another, although science fiction is often at its most interesting when the lines become blurred.

Many science fiction films can be read as explorations of the fate of humanity in a world often depicted as increasingly dominated by the products of science, technology and rationality. Humans are supposed to embody particular qualities — especially feelings, intuitions and emotions — that often clash with the demands of 'scientific' objectivity or rationality. Science fiction films can be seen as an arena in which we can explore exactly what it is to be 'human', partly through the juxapposition between the human and a variety of opposites [...]. (pp. 11-12)

— With those opposites including "Rational Dreams and Technological Nightmares," the title of the book's next section (pp. 13 f.).

RDE, finishing, 22May23