International Science Fiction Film Festival Lineup

This year The Center for Global Studies and the University of Illinois Library will be hosting the International Science Fiction Film Festival! On Wednesday, February 22nd Thursday, February 23rd at 7pm in Lincoln Hall Theatre, two acclaimed science fiction movies will be screened back-to-back with food and discussion.

If you’re interested in the festival’s movies–or you just like science fiction films–we’ve pulled recommendations from the UGL collection to tide you over until the festival!

WEDNESDAY LINEUP

District 9

District 9

District 9 is a 2009 science fiction thriller from South Africa and racked up a number of award nominations that made it one of the best science fiction films of the decade. When a ship of ill aliens are discovered flying over Johannesburg, South Africa, humanity imprisons them in a camp called District 9. Years later, one of the aliens attempts to escape home with his son when the government tries to transfer them to another camp. The film took inspiration from the internment camp District 6 in Cape Town during the apartheid era and doesn’t hold back when it comes to themes of xenophobia and segregation.

Casshern

Casshern

Casshern is a Japanese dystopian film that describes a world where the Eastern Federation conquers Europe after fifty years of war. Divided into Zones (like a more horrific Hunger Games), the Federation maintains its control with a mix of vicious military and brutal science–until Casshern discovers just how far the Federation is willing to go in the name of science and how far people will go for family.

IF YOU LIKE DISTRICT 9, CHECK OUT:

Cloverfield

Cloverfield

Cloverfield is set up like another “found footage” film–only instead of aliens, this time it’s monsters. It follows six young New York City residents forced to flee a farewell party when a huge monster (and a number of smaller, more terrifying creatures) attack the city. If you like your science fiction thrillers with a side of horror, this movie is definitely for you.

IF YOU LIKE CASSHERN, BE SURE TO WATCH:

Snowpiercer

Snowpiercer

Snowpiercer is the most expensive Korean film ever produced, so be sure to appreciate how beautiful it is before it ruins your life. This emotional train wreck follows the world-spanning Snowpiercer, the non-stop express that separates the last remnants of humanity from freezing to death. The train is divided by a vicious caste system designed to keep the poor starving and the rich flush with champagne–until Chris Evans and his axe begin smashing their way up to the conductor for justice and some answers.

THURSDAY LINEUP:

The Mermaid

The Mermaid

The Mermaid is a retelling of The Little Mermaid and was China’s highest grossing film last year. It follows a Chinese billionaire playboy who buys up the Green Gulf wildlife reserve with big plans to develop it. Little does he know his property is home to merpeople, or that the beautiful woman he’s fallen in love with is in fact a mermaid that’s been sent to assassinate him. It’s the science fiction rom com you didn’t know you needed.

A Werewolf Boy

A Werewolf Boy

A Werewolf Boy can easily be pitched as Titanic meets Beauty and the Beast. In this South Korean fantasy romance, an elderly Sun-yi recalls being sent to the countryside for her health as a teenager back in 1965–only to meet a feral teenager on her property. They assume he’s an orphan of the Korean War until they discover his high body temperature and unidentifiable blood type. The two teenagers fall in love, but their relationship is fraught with danger as our favorite werewolf gets closer to being discovered.

IF YOU LIKE THE MERMAID, CHECK OUT:

Stardust

Stardust

Stardust is a Neil Gaiman book-turned-movie that juxtaposes 19th century English village with the magical kingdom of Stormhold over the wall. The story follows Tristan, who chases a falling star in order to win over his true love–only to discover upon arriving at the crater that the fallen star is, in fact, a woman. Their journey back home is packed with man-eating witches, murderous princes, and cloud pirates named Shakespeare.

IF YOU LIKE A WEREWOLF BOY, YOU SHOULD WATCH:

Beautiful Creatures

Beautiful Creatures

Beautiful Creatures takes place in the Southern town of Gaitlin, South Carolina, where high schooler Ethan Wate dreams of a girl he’s never met before–until one day the girl from his dreams shows up in his first period class. Ethan doesn’t think Lena is a witch, but something is definitely going on–or why would everyone be working so hard to keep him away from her? If you like fated love stories, family conspiracies, and Southern gothic atmosphere, then you’ll enjoy this paranormal romance.

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Viewer’s Advisory: International Science Fiction Films

Hey UGLers! This week’s viewer’s advisory will be a follow-up to the first annual Science Fiction Film Festival that was held in the Main Library last week. While we viewed a couple of the most influential movies in sci-fi, this viewer’s advisory post will be about other science fiction films that have really turned some heads in recent years.

Children of Men Movie Cover

Photo taken from Amazon.

Children of Men
First up, is the 2006 British movie Children of Men. Directed by Academy Award winning directo Alfonso Cuaron (see Gravity), Children of Men tells the story of a chaotic world in which women have become infertile. Theo Faron, a former activist, agrees to help transport a woman who has somehow become pregnant. Hunted by nefarious groups, Theo and Kee must travel vast differences to safely deliver the baby and restore hope for humanity. A little heavy, but excellently made, Children of Men perfectly showcases a dystopian world and the talents for a heavily acclaimed director.

Super 8

Super 8
Next up is a nice monster movie to compliment the classic Yongary from the Science Fiction Film Festival. Directed by acclaimed director J.J. Abrams (see Star Wars), Super 8 tells the story of a group of movie making kids in the year 1979. During one of their filming sessions, the children witness a tragic train crash that unleashes a government detained beast. As the government tries to recapture the beast, the children look for a way to finish their latest masterpiece. For those who have a fondness of monsters or the classic Goonies, Super 8 is the perfect Friday night movie event.

Battle Royale

Photo taken from AsianWiki.

Battle Royale
Want some more dystopian action? Well you should check out the Japanese movie Battle Royale. The movie tells the story of 42 junior high students who have been taken to a remote island. The 42 students are instructed that they have three days to kill each other until only one remains. Shackled with an explosive collar, the children must fight or be killed by their government. In the same vein as The Hunger Games, Battle Royale warns of the rise of authoritarian government and the implications that would have on its citizens. Battle Royale is the perfect film if you are looking to watch a sci-fi movie while also filling that Katniss void.

Attack of the Block

Photo taken from Amazon.

Attack the Block
The last film on this week’s viewers advisory is the British film Attack the Block starring John Boyega – before he became the most popular storm trooper in history. Attack the Block follows the story of a South London gang who must defend their block from an alien invasion. As the stakes get higher and the aliens get more savage, there is nothing for these reluctant heroes to do but fight. Featuring laughs, action, and incredible sci-fi imagery, Attack the Block has something for everyone in your friend group.

Did we miss anything? What are some of your favorite sci-fi movies from around the world? Let us know on our Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram pages.

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