In 2015 The Floating Cinema's London programme, journeyed beyond earth to explore our relationship with outer space; from imagined alternative worlds and the race for space travel to alien invasions.
An immersive space odyssey, the Extra-Terrestrial programme included open air screenings of sci-fi cult classics, a summer space school and a series of on-board talks which brought together scientists, writers and space enthusiasts. Weaving between the absurd and the factual, this exciting programme offered a timely commentary on contemporary issues surrounding the Earth's sustainability, the commodification of space and what it is to be an ‘alien’.
The Floating Cinema: Extra-Terrestrial was curated and produced by UP Projects and supported by Foundation for Future London (the charity of Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park), and King's Cross Central Limited Partnership.
Past Events
Open Air Weekender: Others on Earth Day 1
Fri 21 Aug 2015, 7.30pm
Our first Others on Earth day held an on board talk with artist Shezad Dawood in conversation with Charles Quick, and the screening of Piercing Brightness (Dir. Shezad Dawood, 2013, 12, 77mins), an experimental science-fiction feature film that looks at the shifting cultural / ethnic make-up of present day Lancashire. The film looks to play on the border between narrative and experimental filmmaking using the materiality of film itself to reflect on time, memory, race and political agency. We also held a open air performance by Grumbling Fur (Daniel O'Sullivan and Alexander Tucker) who conjure beyond the boundaries of electronic pop and unworldly, psychedelic privet hedge suburban folk.
Open Air Weekender: Others on Earth Day 2
Sat 22 Aug 2015, 5pm
Our second Others on Earth Day held an on board talk exploring how cinema from 1950’s to the present day has shaped our idea of alien imagery; with film historian Jon Wisbey, screening of Co-dependent Lesbian Alien Seeks Same (Dir. Madeleine Olnek, 2011, 12, 76 mins), The Day the Earth Stood Still (Dir. Robert Wise, 1951, PG, 92mins) and Co-dependent Lesbian Alien Seeks Same, which tracks the adventures, misadventures and experiences of three aliens from the planet Zots, sent to Earth on a mission to find love. We also held an alien invasion workshop with artist collective Pen Pushers, to build a costume and disguise yourself and Unearthly Animations: an on board rolling programme of animations, exploring artist interpretations of the unearthly.
Open Air Weekender: Others on Earth Day 3
Sun 23 Aug 2015, 6pm
Our third Others on Earth Day saw astronomer, Professor Martin Hendry hold an on board talk through Einstein’s Universe as portrayed on the silver screen and what this holds in store for the Earth’s future and a workshop of canal-side sky-gazing activities with writer and fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society, Paul Hill who lead a star- spotting workshop; picking out the galaxies and planets high above our London skyline. We also held an open air screening of The Visit (Dir. Michael Madsen, 2015, indicative rating 12, 90 mins) which presents a hypothetical scenario to experts from around the world who have already dedicated their lives to preparing for such an event. The Visit shows how government agencies try to cope with human mankind's first contact with alien life to offer a philosophical exploration of our fear of strangers through the ultimate threat to our self-image.
Mirage Men: Abduction & Deception
Thu 10 Sep 2015, 7.30–10pm
Mirage Men investigates the notion that for over 60 years the US Air Force and Intelligence Services created weapons of mass deception in the form of UFOs, manipulating and exploiting both beliefs and believers in alien visitations as part of their counter-intelligence programmes. The conversation was then followed by an on board screening of Mirage Men. (Dirs: John Lundberg, Roland Denning, Kypros Kyprianou and Mark Pilkington, 2014, indicative rating 12, 85 mins).
Fact Vs Fiction
Fri 11 Sep 2015, 8–9.30pm
Igniting the imagination through the realms of science and space; Science and Technology Facilities Council fellows Dr Marc Sarzi and Dr Lewis Dartnell explore the symbiotic relationship between fiction and fact through rapidly expanding technological capabilities. Using clips and images from well-known Sci-Fi classics, Marc and Lewis will document the history of cinema’s influence on our beliefs, ideas and the shaping of technology.
Open Air Weekender: Human in Space Day 1
Thu 17 Sep 2015, 7–10.30pm
An open air performance by Grimm Grimm, the Minimal space-folk of Koichi Yamanoha, a London-based Tokyo native and former 1/3 of cult psychedelic punks Screaming Tea Party. With Yamanoha as the lynchpin, Grimm Grimm features a shifting line-up of collaborators that includes Le Volume Courbe, Serafina Steer and Bo Ningen. Packed with hooks, the Grimm Grimm sound mixes together the harsh, melancholic beauty of Nico, Green World ambience and the melodies of The Beatles with baroque flourishes and a passing nod the otherworldly pop sensibility of Joe Meek.
Open Air Weekender: Humans in Space Day 2
Fri 18 Sep 2015, 7.30–10pm
An open air screening of Metropolis (Dir. Fritz Lang, 1927, PG, 118 mins) which is dubbed “the grandaddy of sci-fi movies” by The Guardian; Metropolis is a German expressionist epic science-fiction drama about a futurist Utopian society and the sharp divide between the working class and the city planners. One day the son of the city's mastermind comes across this other world of the underground ‘workers’ and is shocked at what he finds. How will it unravel?
Open Air Weekender: Humans in Space Day 3
Sat 19 Sep 2015, 12–9.30pm
Cosmic Shorts: On board rolling programme of short films exploring artist’s interpretations of space, fancy dress screening of 1980’s classic Flash Gordon (Dir. Mike Hodges, 1980, PG, 111 mins) which is dubbed as a ‘British Space opera action film’, and based on the comic strip of the same name created by Alex Raymond, Mike Hodges’ Flash Gordon tells the story of a football player and his friends who travel to the planet Mongo and find themselves fighting the tyranny of Ming the Merciless to save Earth.
Open Air Weekender: Canal Con
Sun 20 Sep 2015, 12–6pm
Wham! Out of this World - On board Comic Book Masterclass with Merlin Evans. Blast into space with illustration workshops on-board The Floating Cinema. In partnership with House of Illustration and suitable for all ages. Comiket - Space themed comic fair on the canal-side steps featuring some of London’s top independent comic artists and publishers. In partnership Comica: London International Comics Festival.
Canal-side Q&A with Dave Gibbons
Sun 20 Sep 2015, 6–8.30pm
Comics in Space! Canalside Q&A with Dave Gibbons in conversation with Comica’s Paul Gravett. Dave Gibbons is regarded as one of the UK’s best comic artists, most widely known for his collaboration with Allan Moore in creating Watchmen, one of the best-selling graphic novels of all time. His work with comic publishers offers an impressive roll-call including 2000AD, DC Comics, Marvel and Dark Horse Comics, drawing infamous sci-fi characters including Judge Dredd, Dan Dare and Martha Washington, alongside the comic superhero staples of Batman, Green Lantern and Superman.
Everyday Aliens: Workshop
Sun 30 Aug 2015, 3–6.30pm
Workshops with artist Heather Barnett on board The Floating Cinema. Get hands on with slime mould, an intelligent life form intriguing scientists throughout the world with its impressive capacity to make decisions, solve problems and learn from its environment. Discover the mysterious behaviours of this beautiful brainless blob and take home an unusual pet.