Science Flicks series shows classic film, '2001: A Space Odyssey' Tuesday, Nov. 11

Oct. 28, 2008 -- “2001: A Space Odyssey,” regarded by many critics as the greatest science fiction film of all time, is number 13 in the film series, “Science Flicks,” presented by the Departments of Biology Sciences and Chemistry and Physics at Arkansas State University.

The film will be shown Tuesday, Nov. 11 at 5:30 p.m. in Room 219 of the Laboratory Sciences Center, East Wing. Admission is open to ASU students and the general public and is free of charge.

The movie, directed by Stanley Kubrick, was released in 1968 to mixed reviews.  At the time of its release, the National Aeronautic Space Association (NASA) was in deep competition with Russia in the space race. Kubrick’s work is usually described as profound, visionary, and a tremendous visual experience. With very little dialogue, the film relies on its imagery, music, and imagination for its summary. Viewers are left to speculate as to its meaning regarding man, technology, and space.

The series, launched in 2007 by the departments of Biological Sciences and Chemistry and Physics, each month presents a different film that portrays scientists and their work. The series is part of a new undergraduate/graduate course, “Science in the Cinema,” which is being offered this fall and also has an Honors option. A full schedule of movies can be viewed at http://biology.astate.edu/science_flicks.htm.

Following the film’s showing, Dr. Bruce Johnson, associate professor of Physics, will serve as a panelist to discuss the validity of the movie and the impact of the set of circumstances it portrays.

“2001: A Space Odyssey” stars actors Keir Dullea, Gary Lockwood, and a computer named Hal. The final film of the ‘Science Flicks” schedule is “Dr. Strangelove” on Dec. 2.           

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