Alien Zone II ― The Spaces of Science-Fiction Cinema

Science fiction cinema is too often left at the margins of serious critical film study. While a handful of films are the subject of general theoretical works, the genre as a whole, and especially its cinematic aspects, are neglected in favor of straightforward considerations of character and narrative. Alien Zone 2 redresses this imbalance by looking at the ways in which contemporary science fiction cinema transforms the themes and conventions of the genre itself. In many ways a companion volume to Alien Zone, it pursues theoretical issues opened up in the earlier book but also explores fresh territory with an eye that is both reflective and interventionist. Visionary cities, psycho-cybernetics, internet fandom, the convergence of science fiction literature and science fiction film, and bodybuilder stardom are all brought under its gaze. Contributors: Will Brooker, Scott Bukatman, Catherine Constable, David Desser, Barry Keith Grant, Brooks Landon, Linda Mizejewski, Vivian Sobchack, Claudia Springer, Janet Staiger, Garrett Stewart.

Annette Kuhn’s books include Alien Zone: Cultural Theory and Contemporary Science Fiction Cinema; Cinema, Censorship and Sexuality; The Power of the Image: Essays on Representation and Sexuality; and Women’s Pictures: Feminism and Cinema. She is lecturer in Film and Television Studies at Glasgow University.