Genre and society Learning intention: how to structure an essay

Introduction: A genre reinforces values and / or beliefs in society. Science fiction films are examinations of the values and beliefs in a society, in the sense that they investigate fears for the future, particularly in relation to the development of new sciences and technologies. One common idea is that technology will have a negative impact on society, and force us to question our sense of family and humanity as it evolves. This can be seen across the genre, from early films such as ‘2001: A Space Odyssey’ in 1968, through ‘Alien’ in 1979 and ‘Blade Runner’ in All these films take different stances based on the latest evolutions in science and technology.

2001 (connection) In ‘2001: A Space Odyssey’, the focus of new ideas around technology is the space race. Made during the late sixties, and released in 1968, this film focuses upon the idea of journeying into outerspace and encountering extraterrestrial technologies. ‘2001’ can clearly be seen as a reflection of America’s current goal to beat Russia to have the first successful landing on the moon, which is why the film shows space as both glamourous and beautiful.

2001 (evidence) In ‘2001’, we see pristine white circular space stations, combined with classical music to give the audience a feeling of something serene and peaceful. Technology appears here to be highly positive and shows space travel to be stress-free. However, within the film we see very little family interaction, with no sense of community or connection. The rare occasions when we see family is through video-phone messages, suggesting that space travel has lead to a sense of disconnection and separation. Kubrick may be suggesting that this new technology has created a sense of isolation from family and community. The science fiction genre at this time is interested in how the new experience of space travel will change currently established values, such as family connections, and so the discussion is around fears of losing relationships in the pursuit of ‘the other’.

Alien and Blade Runner (connection) ‘Alien’, made in 1979, and ‘Blade Runner’, 1982, are both examples of the discussion of technology as frightening, combined with questions around humanity. In this time period, scientists were pioneering new ideas in medicine, with test tube babies and evolutions in genetic engineering. As a result, science fiction films were beginning to investigate technological intervention in breeding, through androids and alien parasites or infestations.

‘Alien’ evidence In ‘Alien’ Scott is discussing both the nature of humanity through the comparison of Ripley and Ash, the android, and the idea of reproduction that is abnormal or alien, through the use of the alien’s breeding cycle. At one stage in the film, Ripley is shown as cold and calculating, refusing entry to Kane and others because they have been infected by an alien. The secret android, Ash, at this stage is more caring, and states that they must save them. Here the audience is presented with a machine that seems more human than the human star. Scott is challenging the audience to question what human means, with the quintessential comparison between machine and man. The idea of the human body being used to incubate an alien, reproduction without natural processes, is without question a reaction to fears around these new scientific discoveries, and as the alien is clearly grotesque and a relentless killing machine, the film is making judgements which are reactions based on fear to these new ideas. This is a common idea for all science fiction films.

‘Blade runner’ - evidence Scott’s ‘Blade Runner’, released only three years later, investigates the equally complex idea of creating life through artificial intelligence. The character of Rachael does not even realise she is a replicant, as she has been given memories that seem to represent a past. Other characters such as Roy Batty even question why they have been created, as they seem to have no choice in their lives and they die so young. Scott is examining the post-modernist idea of existing separate from past or future, through the replicants, signalling that science fiction films are moving beyond simple consideration of fears around technology to fears of isolation created because of a technological future. When Batty meets his maker, a clear allusion to Shelly’s ‘Frankenstein’, he questions his existence if he is doomed to die. In the same way, Scott is using fears around new life that are a result of scientific breakthroughs in genetic engineering and test tube babies to make his modern audience consider how they feel about their existence, as they too are doomed to “[burn] so very brightly” and die.

Conclusion Science fiction films across time are examining a future world in which fears around technology and space travel are linked with current values and beliefs. Often the future presented within these films is a negative view of how the world might be, if ethics and values are not central to all developments. In ‘2001’ we see a breakdown of family relationships; in ‘Alien’ we see fears of science take on alien forms in off world locations, and in ‘Blade Runner’ artificial intelligence allows us to question our own humanity and existence.