The focus of the outer space retrospective is on fantasy visions in outer space, such as conquests of the cosmos, the discovery of extraterrestrial worlds, or the encounter with alien civilizations in distant galaxies. But the complementary motif – the landing of aliens on Earth and their intrusion into “our” civilization – shapes a second, smaller group of films selected for the retrospective.

Since the early 1950s, science fiction film has been a separate but elusive genre, at times not averse to philosophical reflections, at times animated by an almost unlimited faith in progress, but also increasingly pervaded with a skeptical vision of the future. No other medium has left as lasting an impression on our understanding of the universe, extraterrestrial life, and future areas of experience as the cinema.

The retrospective reflects outer space cinema in all its diversity, but it puts special emphasis on the films of the 1950s to the 1970s. Researchers and advanced students will give an introduction to the theme and all of the films. Some of the film screenings will be followed by discussions with the audience.