The Second Annual Nova Awards - 2014

I Origins

Directed by: Mike Cahill

Written by: Mike Cahill

Starring: Michael Pitt, Steven Yeun, Astrid Bergès-Frisbey

I Origins is a film directed by Mike Cahill, director of Another Earth from 2011. Actually, it's about as much science fiction as Another Earth was, in that there are definite sci-fi happenings, but it doesn't usually feel like sci-fi. It's much more drama, romance, and fantasy.

It's about a couple scientists who are trying to trace the lineage of eyesight among species. One of the larger arguments against evolution is that "there is no way the eyeball couldn't be intelligent design," so these two are trying to find a species without eyesight that has the gene for the first "level" of eyesight, hence "eye origins." But this is a mere backstory to a strong theme of science verses spirituality, and reincarnation. As the film progresses, there starts to be evidence for reincarnation that can be found by unique eye scans between individuals across the world. This whole aspect of it really interested me because I'm always a fan of heavy, seemingly-impossible, subjects being given scientific consideration.

It's a pretty great trip and I like how they handled the ending. Also, be SURE to stay after the credits if you watch it.

***/****

Sci-fi talk with Jibbs

This is one of those movies that reminds me of the amusing line between science fiction and fantasy. You stick a ghost in a movie and it’s supernatural. You explain it with futuristic soul catchers and higher dimensions, suddenly it’s science fiction. And even more, if you’re like me, suddenly it’s PLAUSIBLE.

Now this film doesn’t use technology to have us consider reincarnation, but it does use it in a realistic and relatable setting that probes those same neurons in my head that make me ask “what if?” And I really enjoy that. There shouldn’t be any limit to science fiction.

The Congress

Directed by: Ari Folman

Written by: Ari Folman

Based on the novel by: Stanislaw Lem

Starring: Robin Wright, Harvey Keitel, Jon Hamm

I knew very little about this movie going into it, so this movie took me for quite a ride. I had even forgotten that half the movie is animated. I don't want to give away just how deep this movie goes, so I'll explain the premise. Robin Wright plays "herself," an actress who is reaching the end of her disappointing career, a career of missed chances that is now being cut short because she's "not pretty enough." So, she takes a deal that allows her digital image to be bought by Miramount (heh heh) so she can be used in movies forever, forever young. The catch is, she has to stay out of the limelight for the rest of her life.

In this first act alone the movie is already touching on some interesting themes about women in film and the direction technology is taking cinema. But then twenty years go by and suddenly, the world is a very different place. And that's when it gets very sci-fi. New themes emerge about the limits of human expression and social media. The movie is fresh and rich with ideas, but it never seems like they're being crammed in. I've heard complaints about this film that it's wish-washy and too avant-garde to make any sense, but it's not, the movie takes a very definable path, and it's amazing.

***.5/****

Sci-fi talk with Jibbs

For me, the film’s intellectual peak is the film’s examination of a virtual world and where, hypothetically, something like Facebook could take us to way in the future. Everywhere Robin goes she is surrounded by decadence or soapboxing or hedonism. Traits we attribute to the internet or its first-world users; certainly a world we could reach if our laziness at our computers merged with our online personas in a virtual playground. All of this leads to an amazingly powerful ending where, without a change in cinematography, the film goes from animation back to the real world. All of the people in tuxedos and dresses in the ball look like bums following a nuclear war. They’re just walking by without a care in the world as they live their glamorous life online. Keep in mind this juxtaposition is after about a full hour or more of trippy animation.