Science Fiction Cinema & The Martian: American University Professor Available for Comment

WHO: Associate Professor Despina Kakoudaki WHAT: Recent science fiction films, such as The Martian, Interstellar, and Gravity depict space travel with a new realism. What is the impact of this new generation of science fiction films for our understanding of science and space exploration? And how do we understand the recurring themes of environmentalism in these films?

WHEN: Ongoing WHERE: In-studio, via Skype, via telephone, or at American University CONTACT: American University Communications at 202-885-5950 or [email protected]

BACKGROUND: Prof. Despina Kakoudaki is author of ANATOMY OF A ROBOT: Literature, Cinema, and the Cultural Work of Artificial People. She has extensive background in science fiction literature and film, and is interested in the political and cultural implications of science fiction texts. In her work on robots, cyborgs, androids and other artificial humans, she explores why we find artificial people fascinating, as we return to these figures in order to define what it means to be human.

Prof. Kakoudaki is available for comment on issues related to robots in popular culture, but also any issues related to science fiction literature and film, to apocalyptic narratives, space travel stories, and disaster films. On the upcoming film The Martian: "Recent science fiction films such as The Martian, but also Interstellar and Gravity, use spectacular special effects and science fiction scenarios but with an eye to realism: the films present situations that are both understandable and in agreement with contemporary scientific knowledge, and they depict the spectacles of space and space travel with extraordinary attention to detail and historical accuracy."

On the representation of heroic characters: "In contrast to super-hero movies, these new science fiction films present everyday human characters whose heroic actions are not the result of special, secret or magical powers. In this, they depict a realistic professional and everyday heroism, where people can be admired for being creative and innovative, for being MacGyver-like in a way, for being able to adapt and tinker, for rising to the demands of their circumstances. These are different heroic narratives because they reward both formal specialization and training, being a scientist or a specialist in a field, and also more general qualities such as curiosity, scientific understanding, mechanical handiness, and adaptability."