Technophobia in Film:
A Film Discussion Class
“Be afraid. Be very afraid.” From the very beginning, Hollywood movies have offered a frightening reflection of our deep fear of technology, its effects, and sinister implications. Time-traveling terminators, resurrected dinosaurs, alien invasions, and virtual prisons all give us a sense of just how terrified Hollywood writers, directors, and producers think we are (or should be).
In this class we will investigate popular, pivotal movies and discuss their fears, warnings, and possible solutions to this ever-increasing cultural technophobia. Discussion topics will include: “the mad scientist and you,” “ghosts in the machines,” “malfunctioning machinations,” “risks and rewards,” and “the power of human ingenuity.”
Throughout these classes, we will discuss Modern Times, Frankenstein, The Fly, Godzilla, War of the Worlds , 2001: A Space Oddessy, Moonraker, Blade Runner, Star Wars, The Matrix , and Wall-E.
Our next class will cover the 1999 sci-fi/action film, The Matrix (Wachowski), and touch upon the many conflicts with technology, ethics of artificial intelligence and surveillance, themes including “fate vs. choice,” and our cultural obsession with truth and meaning.
Click HERE to register for this free class at LMCTV, space is limited.
