Guest Teaching: Mechanisms of Exploitation in Science Fiction Films

Aylin Dilek Walder, M.A. (TU Braunschweig)

02. Jun

10:00-12:00 | C16.222

In this guest teaching unit, participants will learn about two mechanisms of exploitation in Science Fiction film. As a first form of exploitation, the genre-specific story of planetary discovery will be focused on, in order to emphasize how the discovery of new planets and life forms builds on ideas such as terra nullius, and mirrors extratextual mechanisms of colonization and extractivism as exploitations of both indigenous communities and nature. While this mechanism is woven into the story on screen, the portrayal of indigeneity as part of the discovery story allows for a closer look at production choices that romanticize indigenous communities by framing them as magical, particularly in tune with nature, and in need of saving, whereby cultural and Tribal specifics are overshadowed, stereotypes are perpetuated, and casting choices exclude actors from the communities that indigeneity on screen builds on. After an introduction to foundational theory in postcolonial ecocriticism, among others, we will discuss exemplary film sequences, so that participants learn how to detect mechanisms of exploitation in Science Fiction films such as Avatar. 
All are welcome!
Contact: PD Dr. Jennifer S. Henke: jennifer.henke@leuphana.de