AFS Essential: AKIRA

Rated R; 124min; Director:Katsuhiro Ôtomo (1988)  

All tickets to AFS events available at the AFS Website

In 1902 French director Georges Melies released A TRIP TO THE MOON and delighted audiences worldwide, but science-fiction films didn't gain much respect or critical attention until the post-atomic era. Major exceptions were important films of the 1920s by German director Fritz Lang (METROPOLIS in particular, as well as WOMAN IN THE MOON) and by Soviet filmmakers (AELITA QUEEN OF MARS, for instance). In American cinema of the 30s and 40s space travel and the use of futuristic technology for world domination were relegated to Saturday kiddy-matinee serials (BUCK ROGERS and FLASH GORDON) and cartoons (SUPERMAN). However, after the explosion of atomic bombs over Nagasaki and Hiroshima in 1945, the world realized that a new power existed, one which could be used to destroy life or take humans into outer space. Coincidentally, as earthly eyes gazed heavenward, UFO sightings became far more frequent, a manifestation of hopefulness and paranoia and perhaps sometimes truth. Human dreams of new possibilities in science and fantasy exploded. The 1950s brought a Golden Age of American sci-fi feature films involving space exploration and alien invasions. In 1957, after the Soviets successfully launched Sputnik - the first man-made satellite to orbit Earth -- the race was on to get to the moon (a feat realized in 1969 by American astronauts) and to explore other planets. During that time and beyond, fantasy literature and cinema showing terrors on other planets or dystopias on earth proliferated around the globe. CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD KIND (1977) and E.T. (1982) were the exceptions to the rule that alien beings were evil and came here to steal or destroy our planet. Kubrick's 2001 (1968), Tarkovsky's SOLYARIS (1972), Ridley Scott's BLADERUNNER (1982), and THE MATRIX trilogy (1999-2003) proved that sci-fi could be thought-provoking as well as entertaining and visually stunning. More recently, science-fiction cinema has begun to explore global warming, population stresses, and new and frightening diseases. We no longer need extraterrestrial aliens to be afraid, very afraid of the future. This AFS summer series will present a wide array of science fiction styles and themes from Czechoslovakia, France, the UK, Italy, Japan, the US, and, most intriguingly, the former Soviet Union (represented by four new 35mm prints of films perhaps never seen in Texas). -- Chale Nafus, Director of Programming, Austin Film Society

For many of us AKIRA was the first theatrical anime experience. Otomo’s creation still provides a stunning introduction to the seemingly endless possibilities of Japanese animation. 31 years after World War III, Neo-Tokyo is faced with a new challenge – an adolescent boy with super-human powers. Tetsuo spent his early years in a home for unwanted children. Always the victim in vicious boys’ games, Tetsuo came under the protection of Kaneda. As they grew older they created a biker gang, popped pills, fought other gangs, and attended a school for delinquents. Their city, Neo-Tokyo, is now preparing for the Olympic Games of 2020, which are threatened by daily explosions set off by anti-government demonstrators. Always looking for new methods of controlling unruly mobs, the military and government are experimenting with the powerful minds of prematurely old “children.” Through an accident, Tetsuo comes in contact with Number 26 (the newest “child”) and is taken to a military hospital where the young boy begins to manifest unique powers of his own. Once Tetsuo escapes from the hospital, his new-found mental and physical abilities provide his rage and jealousy dangerous weapons for revenge. Neo-Tokyo is seemingly at his mercy as his fury increases exponentially.

Location: Alamo South Lamar

Kid Policy: 18 and up; Children 6 and up will be allowed only with a parent or guardian. No children under the age of 6 will be allowed.

Screenings (click on a show time to buy tickets):

• Tuesday, July 24, 2007
  • 9:45p