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Shades Detectable in the Early 80s

Ts

(Romanian)

As I’m sure you picked up on the previous episode, “adolescence” (whatever the benchmark for analyzing something human, living) is quite compatible with the “rush” of stabilizing childhood perceptions and, more often than not, the manifestation of nativity, of what was previously perceived as unchiseled, raw, beginning to take the form that will manifest itself in maturity…

A kind of transit towards maturity which, regardless of the prolongation of adolescence, through what is called “academic” being “adultlescence” will manifest itself someday, in a “science fiction” future more or less long in its appearance…

For this reason, the chiseling of the course of the episodes will manifest itself with each new descriptive step, with each new episode that I will make, through what would be the steps of “science fiction”, be they also recalled, in a gesture that can suggest you the manifestations, even to give you ideas born from the old ones.

Because, “Originality is not an illusion “derived” from the reality that all ideas are, in one way or another, derived from previous ideas, but it is an evolution of knowledge, masked by the apparent cyclicality of history, overcoming the “past” of understanding about the world with the help of creativity” (author’s statement, made on the occasion of this episode, 11th).

So, 1981 came with an increase in the number of artistic “presences” on the “big screen”, in which the most successful film of the Mad Max “line” is noted through “Mad Max 2”, an achievement that is considered to be one among the best post-apocalyptic films of all time, largely defining the subgenre, with iconic images, memorable characters and an atmosphere of desolation and violence, having a huge influence on pop culture, inspiring numerous other films, video games and works of art, including (according to some claims) novels like Dmitry Glukhovsky’s “Metro 2033” series, which explores life in an underground Moscow after a nuclear war.

Another “presence” is represented by “Scanners,” directed by David Cronenberg (known for exploring dark themes and taboo subjects), it is a Canadian science fiction horror film that left a lasting mark in cinematography, although it initially received mixed reviews, it over time became a cult classic, appreciated for its unique vision and groundbreaking special effects for the time.

Fairly commentable or not, the film had a significant impact on science fiction literature, inspiring generations of writers to explore complex themes and create fascinating worlds, proving, for example, that special effects can be used to convey deep ideas and create a memorable cinematic experience.

It should also be remembered the fact that many cyberpunk novels explore themes similar to those in “Scanners”, such as technology that amplifies human powers and the social consequences of these developments, or books about superheroes and, especially, horror novels, where themes such as genetic mutation, scientific experiments, and man-made monsters became popular.

“Escape from New York” is another science fiction classic, directed by John Carpenter (Kurt Russell being the actor in the main role), another dystopian “facet” of the future “combined” with an anti-hero (Snake Plissken, a soldier turned criminal), in a Manhattan transformed into a maximum security prison, in an atmosphere of decadence and violence, which has become iconic.

The director gives the movie his signature style, with a dark atmosphere, a memorable soundtrack, and a minimalist approach, the film offers a fresh take on the science fiction genre, combining elements of action, thriller, and dystopia, influencing many subsequent films, both in the science fiction genre, as well as from the action one.

The movie has served as a source of inspiration for many writers, providing a template for them to explore complex themes in a dystopian setting, the concept of Manhattan turned into a prison becoming a popular trope in science fiction literature, with many novels exploring the idea of ​​cities isolated, surveilled and governed by authoritarian regimes.

Then, why not, the protagonist Snake Plissken, like Max Rockatansky (Mad Max) became an archetype for anti-heroes in sci-fi literature, characters with dark pasts, complex motivations, and an ambiguous moral code becoming common in many “later” novels “.

Furthermore, many cyberpunk novels have taken elements from “Escape from New York”, such as megalopolis cities, advanced technology, and fringe subcultures, influencing post-apocalyptic literature as well, providing a model to describe collapsing societies and the struggle for survival.

“Outland” represents a new fusion of the Western genre and science fiction, the action takes place on a mine on a satellite of Jupiter, and the protagonist (played by Sean Connery), a space marshal, confronts a gang of smugglers in a hostile environment, in an atmosphere marked by isolation, loneliness and paranoia.

The film exposes the harmful effects of technology on the human body (a central theme in many sci-fi works), especially drugs that enhance physical performance but have devastating side effects, and is also a critique of corporations and how they can corrupt and exploit people.

Outland had a significant impact on subsequent science fiction literature, contributing to the popularization of the space western subgenre, which became a recurring theme in many SF novels and short stories, with writers such as Ben Bova or Jack McDevitt exploring similar themes in their works, such as space colonization, frontier justice, and the clash of civilizations.

Also, along with other earlier “genre” works, the tense and isolated atmosphere of the mine on Jupiter’s moon has become an archetype in science fiction literature, with many novels exploring the theme of isolation and paranoia in a hostile environment, whether about a space station, an alien colony or a post-apocalyptic world, not to mention the risks associated with technological development, particularly in terms of human health and well-being, a theme taken up by many sci-fi writers who have explored the dire consequences of biotechnology, artificial intelligence and other technological innovations.

Yes, let’s not forget the subtle criticism of corporations and the power they exercise over people’s lives, a theme that has become a constant in sci-fi literature, being explored in works such as the novels of William Gibson or Neal Stephenson.

And, why not, we can also mention “Excalibur” (a fantasy but easily assimilated to a kind of SciFi, both based on fantastic elements such as advanced technologies, mythical creatures or parallel worlds) or the animation “Heavy Metal” (an adult animated anthology that marked an era in American animation and deeply influenced pop culture, the film is an adaptation of the comic magazine of the same name, known for its mature content, which combined elements of science fiction, fantasy, horror, and eroticism, being “composed” of a series of animated shorts, each with its distinct visual style and unique story)…

In terms of television series, 1981 is a year in which several “short series” were made represented by “Under The Mountain” (the story of an Earth family that intervenes in a conflict between aliens — 8 episodes of 24 minutes), “The Phoenix” (an archeological expedition in Peru dealing with the same alien contact with a dominance plot — a 5-episode one-hour series) and “Kinvig” (similarly themed, “dominant” interaction “ with aliens — 7 episodes of 30 minutes).

From the point of view of the “written word” used in the creation of science fiction novels, 1981 was a year rich in releases, bringing readers fascinating new worlds and innovative ideas, readers being invited to explore new sequences of the “Dune” universe, or new post-apocalyptic worlds, meet advanced artificial intelligence and reflect on the future of humanity, embodied (for example) in:

• God Emperor of Dune written by Frank Herbert (the fourth volume in the Dune series, a novel that continues the saga of the Atreides family and the planet Arrakis, about Leto Atreides II became a monster-god, who continues his fight for the survival of humanity, sacrificing freedom individual in favor of a larger cosmic order).
• Stanisław Lem’s Golem XIV (a masterpiece of science fiction, exploring themes such as artificial intelligence, ethics, and the nature of humanity, the novel tells the story of a giant robot, built to protect the Earth, that begins to develop a consciousness of its own and question the purpose of its existence).
• The Green Futures of Tycho by James Tiptree Jr. (is a female sci-fi novel, written under a pseudonym, that explores themes of identity, sexuality, and interpersonal relationships in a post-apocalyptic future, the story follows a group of survivors trying to rebuild a society on an alien planet).
• The Guardian of Isis by John Varley (an immersive space adventure that takes us on a journey through the galaxy where a group of explorers discover an advanced alien civilization and a mystery that threatens all of humanity).
• But also a year in which there are other notable titles such as The Silent City by Brian Stableford, The Steel Tsar by Harry Harrison, Strata by Robert Silverberg, Strength of Stones by Jack Dann, Systemic Shock by Neal Stephenson…

Note: We are discussing the “tastes” of the author of this article, with some “media” infusion.

So… This is how the “science fiction” “saga” develops, with each step taken… Towards new universes, towards new masterpieces of forward-looking minds…

Merticaru Dorin Nicolae

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