Thinking About Science Fiction Movies

D. Cronenberg & Humankind-Technology

David Cronenberg, Canadian film director, usually works on science-fiction movies. He integrates science-technology effects over Human's body or psychology with humankind's problems.

He processes technology's effects over humanity such a way is that There usually occurs a dichotomy because of the technological breakthroughs. Scanners (1981), can be given as one of the examples of this dichotomy.

In Scanners, humankind's weak, forgiving side is shown. A creature who can scan and control people and has incredible power, is created. And this technological creature differs from humankind owing to its power. Humanity succumbs to technology. Considering in another way, these creatures demonstrate the evil side of humanity. Besides that, We are awared of the thinking side of humankinds. Humans are separated from the other livers with the property of thinking. In 'Scanners', the technological creatures can think about not only their own ideas, but they hear the other's thoughts. Humankinds who can think about lots of things at the same time, are try to cope with that, especially in this era.

It is get used to encounter with science fiction movies, about exploding of earth, not Human's brain. This is a difference of Cronenberg' s interests over Humanity.

In some of D. Cronenberg's movies, story usually progresses in the way that humans are subjected to technology and than, Humanity problems are shown.






Videodrome (1983),directed by Cronenberg, is a science fiction body horror film. In that movie, it is focused on media consumption. Throughout Videodrome, it is shown how humankind is on the up level of consumption and obsession and how they have sexual passion existence.
n addition to that the movie shows how people starts to engages with the technology. As the Conenberg's other movies, we encounter with the weakness side of humanity, again.

Pressure of society is a real ongoing for many years. In some Cronenberg movies, Cronenberg reveals many different kind of pressures which are over humans with the usage of technology.




Shivers (1975) is one of the examples of that. In Shivers, some people are infected by virtually non-existent parasites. These infected people, behaves in infinite freedom and it is seen that There is a sex-crazed personality beyond humankind.

In eXistenZ (1999), There is a deep philosophy over humanity notion. This movie query what humanity would like to have?
Cronenberg represents humankind-technology relation in his movies not only in terms of humankind's psychology way, but also the materiality of humankind. In eXistenZ, Some people who are not satisfied from their lifes, invents a new game. Joysticks of this game are like the parts of human body.





This shows how much people are integrated with technology like video games, internets, media, vs. People start to behave like different two personality. One of them is the nature of that person, the other one is the person who influenced by technology. Human and technology, so organic and synthetic are so integrated that the distinction between these two terms are blurred. Technology is invaded to human's body so obvious that the proof is the implication of technology over medicine.

If we make an overview about Conenberg's movies, it can be true to focus on a word 'control'. Technology controls every forms of people; the body and the mind of people. The irony is that technology has being advanced by people. Technology kills its creature.

In scanners, technology captures the mind of people and kills the humanity.
In Shivers technology captures people in every form and turn them to totally different character.
In Videodrome, technology captures people, again and kills them. In EXistanZ, technology captures people, too.



Science-Fiction Cinema & Society, Times, Culture

This is so general that In 'Science fiction Cinema', new society is fictionalized in order to focus on an issue, and show how this issue effects the humanity and life. This fiction can be based on many ways like travelling in time or creating a dystopia or just creating a character. It is possible to encounter with fantasies, desired world while composing these fictions.



The Time Machine directed by George Pal is an example for talking about integrated social issue and technology. A protagonist travels to future and explore how future generations are ignorant and far from learning challenge.(196directed by George Pal is an example for talking about integrated social issue and technology. A protagonist travels to future and explore how future generations are ignorant and far from learning challenge. Social degeneration occurs because of previous generation.
At the future, two kind of social classes occur; Capitalists and proletariats. When Capitalists are nescient, proletariats are intelligent and more wisdom people.

David Cronenberg is a great example in order to talk about the relationships between science fiction movies' and society.

'Shivers (1975)' which is one of the most well known movie of David Cronenberg, is focused on an issue by creating a new community. Some people, living in an apartment, are infected by parasites and they become sex-crazed people, behaving so unconscious and formless and show exaggerated movements.
This fictionalized small community shows how people are suppress their feelings and behaviours.

Sci-fi films, especially express society's anxiety about technology. Videodrome (1983), directed by Cronenberg, is about the social media's effect on society.

In some of Cronenberg's movies two societies have to be involved in a battle. For instance, In Scanners (1981) Cameron Vale is taken charge to destroy Revok's dystopia. He deals with problems which have been already overcomed by Revok. He struggles with the pressure of his powerful scanning ability. In addition to that, He has trouble with huge amount of people' thoughts that he can not even hear his own thoughts. As if power converts goodness to evil, Sometimes Cameron behaves like a bad guy. On the other hand, David has already reached to maximum evil level. He hasn't got any trace of humanity. So it is almost impossible to eliminate the dystopia. So, distopia will be last forever. Technology's creature will win.

Science fiction genre movies have been effecting the culture in many ways. Their' different kind of characters started to flourish different kind of toys depend on characters and these characters turn to children's hero.

Star Wars which are American science fiction film series,



directed by George Lucas. The characters of Star Wars become a worldwide pop culture phenomenon. The series exploded in media so much that books, television series, computer and video games, and, comic books were created. These series involved with every moments of these generation's children.

In addition to that, especially for 2000s generations, It has been flourished lots of games depend on these characters. These games, can be played in everywhere from i-pads to computers and even phones, effects children in many ways. Game-addicted children become more anti-social and build their own imagination world.

a Cronenberg's Movie: Scanners

'Scanners (1981) ', written and directed by Canadian film director; David Conenberg, can be called as a low-budget science fiction-horror film. The movie's music is composed by Howard shore like Conenberg's other ones.

Cameron Vale who is an undiscovered homeless scanner and has an extraordinary power , is found by a professor , Dr. Ruth for Doctor's purposes. Dr. Ruth works for ConSec, as a Head of ConSec's Scanner Research Section where weaponary are manufactured. Dr. Ruth is profession on Scanners and use them for ''ConSec's Security Systems''. Scanners are people who have telepatic and telekinetic powers. They hear people' thoughts reluctantly and can control people' behaviours. Biocarbon Amalgamate is an institute, established by Dr. Ruth in the past, is controlled by David Revok and Dr. Ruth is totally unaware of that. David Ravok who is the oldest and most powerful scanner, produces a drug called Ephemerol in order to empire his own world. Ephemerol helps to scanners to control their ability and artifically creates new scanners. So, Basically a battle has begun between Dr. Ruth and David Revok; Humanity & Scanners.

Cameron Vale who is taken charge to destroy Revok's distopia, is like a new born baby. He deals with problems which have been already overcomed by Revok.He struggles with the pressure of his powerful scanning ability. In addition to that, He has trouble with huge amount of people thoughts that he can not even hear his own thought. As if power converts goodness to evil, Sometimes Cameron behaves like a bad guy. On the other hand, David has already reached to maximum evil level. He hasn't got any trace of humanity.

In past, David drilled a hole on his forehead in order to decrease the pressure of his thoughts which are in his mind. In times, he overcomes with these kind of problems with ephemerol and gaining experiences and power.

There is a division between scanners and humanity and this creates a dichotomy, according to David. David wants to defeat the humanity. He is the oldest and the strongest scanner. He controls all the other scanners as if there is just one nervous system controlled by David. When David kills a scanner, he suck the knowledge and power of the scanner. If it is consedered, it can be concluded that he desires to create his own distopia. There is no choice to make a differentiation by not choosing the side of David if you are a scanner and being the other like Benjamin Pierce. Benjamin is an artist who uses his art in order to escape from his thoughts. He makes rehabilitation by art and his art saves his mind. As much as it is seen, his art belongs to expressionism stream. He makes sculputures like skulls that express the chaoses in his mind. Benjamin is taken a drubbing because of his choice.

Dr. Ruth who is a psycho pharmacist, is obsessed with his profession. He believes in Cameron from the beginning, However, it is explicit from the external eye that winner of the battle will be David.

It is get used to see the realationship between science and body on Conenberg's movies and based on that Body objects are seen. In Scannners, However, We see the connection between science and mind and head objects related to that. When scanners read the minds of people, the voice is used for that scene is like computer voice. The voice forces the brain nerves and creates an annoying mood. Mind and Technology are integrated.

The other difference of Scanners is that There is no focus on woman's body and sex. This movie is more masculine acoording to others.

One of the most important reason of being renowned of the movie is the blowing of head. This money shot of the movie is unbelievable realistic and cause you to stop watching movie, taking a breath deeply than continue to watch the movie. This famous scene was created by Chris Walas who worked on the other movies of Conenberg, as well.

  

Finally, I would like to share a part from the book named 'Conenberg on Conenberg', related to movie.

' ...Both Stereo and Crimes of the Future take place in and around strange-sounding committiees and renegade groups. This can be seen in Rabid, The Brood, Videodrome and Scanners.

 I often wonder what it's like to be a cell in a body. Just one cell in skin or in a brain or an eye. What is the experience of that cell? It has an independent existence, and yet it seems to be part of something that doesn't depend on it, and that has an existence quite separate from it. When you think of colonies of ants or bees, they aren't physically joined the way an organism made up of cells is, but its the same thing. They have an independent existence, an independent history. But they are part of a whole that is composed of them.

An institution is really like an organism, a multi-celled animal in which the people are the cells. The very word 'corporation' means body. An incorporation of people into one body. That's how the Romans thoght of it. Five people would incorporate and become a sixth body, subject to the same laws as they would as individuals. I connect this with the concept of a human body, in which the cells change regularly. They live and die their own lives, and yet the overall flow of the existance of the body as an individual seems to be consistent.

People are fascinatined by little sections of the CIA, which might be said to develop independent of the body of the CIA. It's like a tumour or a live or a spleen that decides it will have its own independent existence. It still needs to share the common blood that flows through all the organs, but the spleen wants to go off and do a few things. It'll come back. It has to. But it wants to have its own adventures. I dont think of it as a threat. Its only a real threat if all your organs decide to go off in different directions.  At a certain point the chaos equals destruction. But at the same the potential for adventure and creative difference is exciting.'

Citation & Reference;

Cronenberg on Cronenberg

Grizzily Man (2005)

Grizzily Man

Grizzily Man is one of the most acclaimed docudrama by Werner Herzog, about an idealist man, called Timothy Treadwell, dedicated his life for protecting Grizzily Bears located in Alaska. However, when we analyze the movie and combine it with Herzog's approach, It can be realized that this movie is more than that.

Timothy Treadwell's character is focused and evaluated throughout the movie by considering not only the reality of nature but also the reality of society. Timothy always queries himself, tries to find something to hold and based on that in time, he decides to find a new persona with the way of creating his own distopia. This is not a dialectical way because, it is so far from logic and reality. This distopia where occupies in one of the most dangerous region, rejects the civilization and brings about responsibilities and attentiveness. Who new that this distopia results in more questioning.

As if it seems that Timothy has complex personality, he is so simple. He is an ordinary person who wants to find his aim and tries to escape from the pressure of society. He likes to live in extreme so, he made a difference with his choice. His aim  is to protect wild animals around wild region. He struggles with not only providing continuity of his existence by not being eaten by bears but also being separated from society and being 'the other'. It reminds the fiction movie, named 'into the wild', about a well-educated person's oppose to the order. Inspite of the fact that Timothy is more careful and prepared than this person, Both of them succumbed to fall toward society.

This is the cycle of environment that Stronger animals beat Weaker's one.  By considering this fact that Timothy always treats attentively to grizzily bears. He treats as if he is stronger than the bears in order to cover up his weakness. On the other hand, he shows tenderness, sincerity behaviour toward these wild animals to make a bond. It is arguable, in fact discussed in the documentary, whether it is possible to make a bond between humanity and wild life. Herzog opined his approach that he thinks, there is no understanding, mercy in the bear's world. There is no secret world of bears. He thinks that there are predators as a nature of the universe. He supports his idea with the soundtrack. He believes that the common character of the universe is not harmony, but hostility and murder. Herzog uses land-shaped glaciers in dissary as a metaphor in order to show Timothy's soul. These ideas bring about a subjectively approach to documentary.

The Video Camera, used by Timothy, becomes Timothy's close friend that he talks about his problems, pasts, doubts with the camera. When he talks wih the camera, he acts like an actor that it is known, he wanted to be an actor. It can be put forward that Timothy also wants to make something important, something that makes him a known person. In order to make it true, this documentary is finished as it should have been for Timothy by the Timothy's death. There is a tension throughout the movie because, documentary is usually watched by knowing the end of Timothy. This tension is strength by the Herzog's scene choices. There is a scene that blood can be seen on the rocks behind the Timothy's speech, pictures horror. When Willy Fulton talks about Timothy on the wild area, lots of small flies can be seen. These small flies' voice and appearance  give disturbance to audiences.

The type of this documentary involves more than one type together that the narration of this documentary is made by observation, participation. Interviews are done by Timothy's friends. Herzog also, go into the field and speaks about his opinions behind the camera . Herzog's participation makes the documentary exposition type, as well.

The narration style in terms of editing was done so appropriate that It is easy to involve with the exact feelings and explanations. In some scenes, where camera is hold by hand, more sincere atmosphere is created. Especially, when Herzog explains his opinion about the Grizzily Bear's behaviour, he shoots Grizzily Bears in  close-up. He tries to show their expressions and reflect how they haven't got even a bit of affectionate expression.

This documentary, which include real life, is indisputable one of the most effective documentary. People who believe that a bond can be created between wild animals and people, should watch this documentary and after that should be questioning the reality of lifecycle.

War Photographer

WAR PHOTOGRAPHER (2001)

There are some movies that make us aware of what is going on environment. There are different countries with full of people suffering from poverty, war and so on,will continue to be suffer, as well.

War Photographer is a documentary by director and Producer Christian Frei, about the one of the most effective photojournalist James Nachtway's fears, motivations, aims as a war photographer. This documentary is also a tool for arousing people around the world and show them people in need.

Documentary was shooted by small betacam video camera and SLR Camera seperately. Mr. Nachtway mounted betacem video camera on his SLR camera. This gives us an intimately viewpoint and helps us to feel the authentic emiotions. This idea is given at the begining of the documentary with this philosophy ' If your pictures aren't good enough, you're not close enough.' by Robert Capa. After, we see that James Nachtway takes photos of burning places closely after the war happened at Kosovo. While Mr. Nachtway is shooting the post-war images, we see the preparation of publication side as parallel editing. While Mr. Nachtway is shooting the people who still couldn't digest the war and just walk around and cry, we see the editors, talking about the pictures as ' There are one million refugee, one hundred of them were dead but they were not burried, and piles of corpses occured...This will be great... This seems exceptional.....' So, we see the advertising side of this job. However, I think we should look from the positive side that this subjects are heard by all around the world. At least, it is better from advertising entertainement subjects. There is a scene that soil is digged in order to embed a person. One of the old man probably relative of that person, watches people without crying. This man's video is taken for a long time and, it seems that this man becomes soulless because of experienced many number of dead.

Mr. Nachtway decided to become a war-photographer during the Viatnam war. He says that 'I was an contradiction to what a political leaders and military leaders were telling us.They were straight forward documentry images a powerful and deadly of the war how unjust it was, cool it was simply by showing what was happening there.' ...He was excited ' Wittnessing history not from an academic point of view, not from a distance but really what happens to people, ordinary people in the course of history...' We realize throughout documentary that people who are involved with this job, always query their job and life.

We listen a death of one man's cousin while this man is telling his cousin's death way to Mr. Nachtway. It is really hard to believe that people have been experiencing these and will always be experiencing when we have no idea about these feelings.

Hans-Hermann Klare who is a Foreign Editor at STERN Magazine talks about the differences of Mr. Nachtway from the other war-photographers. He says that ' Jim ( James Nachtway ) saw more pain and misery rather than other War Photographers..Jim is alone..Jim turned to a different person during spending his 25 years as a war photographer.....One day; When we went to drink a beer because of what we experienced during day, Jim drank a glass of water and went to bad.'

The most inconceviable and incredible situation for Mr. Nachtway was happened in Ruanda. Between half and 2 million people were killed with primitive weapons as clubs, rocks and machetes face to face. He saw a massarce. These makes Mr. Nachtway to query the reasons of this fear and hatred.

The miserable life in Indonesia is so unbeliavable that People live along railwaytracks. They build their places from abandon wood and plastics. During these times, Mr. Nachtway discovered a man who has one arm and one leg and asked him to understand what had happened. Than, Mr. Nachtway learned that train passed over that man seven years ago. The man was living with his wife and four children between railway tracks. Mr. Nachtway spent time with them in order to make their documentary.

In Jakarta, there is an incredible poverty that childs works in piles of rubbish instead of going to school just for 85 cent. According to Jim, the worst thing is suffering from starvation that comes after war. Starvation is the primitive weapon of all time.

There is unjustness all around the world. Jim takes these photographs not in order to artistic purposes, contrarily, he uses his job as a tool to show this unjustness to the world.

In order to see James Nachtway's work you can follow up his site; http://www.jamesnachtwey.com

The Pianist

The Pianist

Today, I would like to talk about one of the most effective, touching drama which won three oscars and should have won the best picture prize as well, directed by one of the most inspiring director, Roman Polanski. In fact, Roman Polanski couldn't attend the oscar night because he had been banned on entering the USA. He won the best director prize. The other oscars were goes to Ronald Harwood as the best writing, adapted screenplay and of course to Adrien Brody as the best actor for a leading role. Everybody was suprised for Adrien Brody because of his first oscar nominee. However, if we analyze his life before and during the filming, it is totally understandable why he won this prize that he gave up from his floor, car and continued his life as a self-conscious personality. He gave 13 weight, learned how to play Chopin in piano and results of these stresses he broke up from his long-term girlfriend.

Long time ago, Steven Spielberg had made an offer to Polanski for Shindler's List however, Mr. Polanski refused his offer. Mr.Polanski is a person who suffered from the war that he wanted to shot his own 'Invasion of Poland, 1939 Movie'. I think, The Pianist is a kind of perfect Polish combination of Chopin (my favorite musician), Roman Polanski (my favorite director) and Warsaw.

When German Armies begin to occupy Warsaw, Roman Polanski was 6 years old. After years, on an interview, he says that ' It was a big mistake of course they will return to Poland just before the war...Everbody was thinking that Krakow is the first place to where the German soldiers will invade. However German soldiers invaded to Warsaw...We were going to shelters sometimes at night.. I was six.. I remember very well. I wasn't frightened, just I didnt know what was to come. What ı was missing the most was my father. We didnt know where it was. What was happening. First time we started to starving...' 

The movie begins with the Chopin's C Minor Nocturne which is the movie's soundtrack as well, is playing by the main character Wladyslaw Szpilman. This character is based on a true story of Wladyslaw Szpilman, acclaimed polish pianist. In 1st September 1939, the radio station, located in Luftwaffe starts to be bombed while Wladyslaw is playing the piano. All Polish Jewishes are dragged to Warsaw ghettos, including Wladyslaw and his family. One of the collaborator rescues Wladyslaw and seperates him from his family while they are in prison camp trains to be death. This movie shows how Polish Jewish musician struggles to survive by finding places to hide, looking for foods, escaping from death. He manages to survive with the help of insurgents and a German officer called Captain Wilm Hosenfeld.
During this tragic movie, we are dealing with the bitter side of life. We see lots of tears of people who are suffering from occupation. Jewish Polishes are being killed randomly. There is a depressing scene that the old man in wheelchair is thrown away from balcony by German officials.

The reality of starvation about which lots of people have no idea is shown with a touchful scenes.There is a scene that one old man argues with a woman and tries to capture her food which poores to ground, later. This man eats the food from the ground. In another scene, Wladyslaw and his family share a small butterscotch, was bought by 20 zealots. Roman Polanski lived the war's reality. He reflects his difficulties which were faced with, to 'Pianist'. While Wladyslaw is escaping, he finds a tin, including pickle. Tin is fallen to the ground and liquid oozes out. This touchful scene, accompanies by Beethoven's moonlight sonata, is taken by Roman Polanski's life. Even I didnt know this while ı was watching this scene, I found this scene as a one of the best ones in movie. So, ı guess reality shows its perfection. Captain Wilm Hosenfeld finds out him and asks Wladyslaw's job. After Wladyslaw answers it, Captain Wilm wants from Pianist to play piano. We listen Ballade in G Minor from the Pianist. Here comes a touchful scene again. We begin to see how Captain Wilm's face changes and turns to an upset and toughful expression. Maybe, one of the upcoming greatest Pianist is playing, now. 

At the end of the movie we listen Chopin's C Minor Nocturne, again while Wladyslaw plays on piano for radio. This scene is the most emotional scene that I see and shows the pianist's intensity of emotion. Especially after he saw his friend who is still alive, he first shows bitter smile than starts to cry by trying to prevent himself. Many things happened and few people continues to survive.

Reference: Roman Polanski: A Film Memory (2011)

From Head to Sky

Here is my first article about a movie. Actually, ı was planning to start my blog with my favorite classic movie called ’pianist’. However, ı’ve just watched a documentary called’ from head to sky’ and decided to make a prelude with this movie. In addition to movies, sometimes ı can write about any branches of art. I would like to specify that my english is not in advance level and sorry for my grammatical errors, word errors and so on.

Finally, before beginning, ı would like to specify that all of my articles won’t criticize the movies in a bad way. That’s just not my style. To be honest, it is hard to dislike any kind of movies for me. My articles will examine the movies from my eyes. Examinings are totally subjective. Lets begin with the first one!

‘FROM HEAD TO SKY’

I’ve just watched a documentary, running 53 minutes, is called’ from head to sky’. This documentary which is about Mohammed’s journey’ is a small budget production.

Mohammed who tries to identify himself and the meaning of life, deals with his complexities. The reason of his complexities is that he is a dwarf. He knows that he wont be change so, something has to be change. He decides to leave his family, friends, Morocco as well, and prefers to stay alone. He tries to a understand why he is the one who is a dwarf.  He feels extremely alone. Being a dwarf is such a big problem his that he can’t do without thinking of that. Before he sleeps, he whishes to wake up taller with these words  ‘Maybe I will be taller tomorrow. So, my only problem could be that ı shouldn’t wear a short pant’. He feels worthless.

Mohammed misses his childhood. He watches photos from his computer and looks at his face. He thinks that the only place, can be liked on his body, is his face.

Director shooted some scene from the far corners in order to show the shortness of Mohammed and the harmony between his body and environment. There is a football scene that people can definitely reliaze Mohammed’s body’s differences from the other people. I would talk about exactly this issue. I’ve watched this movie with some people. The response of this people over this scene was laughing. I think, Laughing is totally incomprehensible. It is not about these people. This issue is about the society. Being laughing to this scene proves the loneliness feelings of Mohammed.

During this documentary, we can see mostly close-up shootings. Street lightings is glamorous in dark shootings. I’ve found that nice musics with beautiful melody, played on the movie, originated by Manuel Randi and Federico Campana.

‘From Head to Sky’ won the ‘New Horizon Award’  ALJAZEERA International Documentary Film Festival 2011. I suggest you to watch this realistic, touchful documentary.

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