Sci-Fi Retrospective

Overview

Over the past 65 years, the Melbourne International Film Festival has screened thousands of films, new and old, spanning an array of styles, genres, themes and topics. Still, even though the fest has been living long and prospering, there's one thing the city's major annual cinema showcase hasn't done: they've never featured a science fiction retrospective. Great Scott.

Until now, that is. In the words of Keanu: whoa. The 2017 fest is happily casting its eyes back through a wealth of sci-fi greats, so prepare to take quite the trip to a plethora of other worlds. The full program won't be revealed until July 11, but Jules Verne adaptation Invention for Destruction, the Kubrick-influencing Czechoslovak effort Ikarie XB-1,  Marcello Mastroianni and Ursula Andress in sci-spy The 10th Victim and genetic engineering thriller These Are the Damned are all on the bill.

Elsewhere, the lineup also includes a special Hear My Eyes session of Fantastic Planet, which comes complete with a reimagined live soundscape provided by prog-rock/jazz fusion act Krakatau. And, get ready to spend all night soaking in some sci-fi goodness during a Saturday night movie marathon at The Astor Theatre. Who doesn't want to spend an entire evening in a cinema watching beloved, controversial and under-appreciated faves? That's what film festivals are made for.