This is a photo from Mad Max Fury Road
From Star Wars to Avatar, science fiction has been a genre that is meant to transport viewers to other worlds in which could not possibly exist. It is an escape from the everyday into locations that have a monumental scale. Whether it be the deserts of a barren wasteland in that of Mad Max or sprawling cityscapes with futuristic technology like The Fifth Element, these locations are meant to elicit a sense of awe. The hero’s of these worlds are common Hollywood stereotypes of the gunslinger, the nomad, the action hero, or the everyday man. However, these heroes often get embroiled in situations that are larger than life with very high stakes. Luke, a farm boy, gets entangled in a universal conflict against an evil federation that resembles that of Nazi Germany. Neo is an everyday man who finds out he is in a computer simulation and finds out it is only he who can bring peace to a global conflict of man versus machine. These films try to relate the audience to the everyday character. However, not all science fiction films are like this. Some try to use their unique settings to push forth commentaries on social or philosophical issues. In Blade Runner for example the conflict is only following that of a detective but it plays with the idea of what it means to be truly human.
Science Fiction is not uniquely American however. Japan has made films such as that of Godzilla and Ghost in the Shell, Germany Metropolis, and French with stop motion film Fantastic Planet. Many foreign film industries also lend their artistry and talent to that of large Hollywood science fiction productions. Luc Besson, a french director, directed a popular science fiction film titled The Fifth Element. Another example would be Guillermo del Toro who came from Mexico and has made many science fiction and fantasy films. Science fiction is universal in both its appeal and values. One country, however, that has had a particularly interesting history in regards to science fiction is that of Italy. Italian science fiction was fueled in large parts by its culture, people, and politics. This site is meant to outline that history and provide information on how Italian science fiction film affected the genre as a whole.