SCIENCE FICTION may be described as the Birthplace of Ideas that can “Change the World” — by opening our minds to new possibilities.
It has always been a haven for Dreamers — who often come from humble beginnings, exploring Big Ideas in books and movies — without the support of major Publishers or Hollywood Studios.
As Indie Authors of YA SCI-FI (THE SURVIVAL TRILOGY) there’s a special place in our hearts for Independent Filmmakers. The best Indie SCI-FI Movies explore insightful ideas — to tell enriching stories about how we live and the Choices we make — in the Past, Present or Future.
MIDNIGHT SPECIAL
Midnight Special is a 2016 American SCI-FI film written and directed by Jeff Nichols, and produced by Sarah Green and Brian Kavanaugh-Jones. The film stars Michael Shannon, Joel Edgerton, Kirsten Dunst, Adam Driver, Jaeden Martell, and Sam Shepard.
Synopsis
Roy Tomlin and his friend Lucas find themselves on the run with his 8-year-old son Alton, as news reports identify him as the boy’s abductor from a religious cult in rural Texas. Members at the Ranch try to explain to FBI agents that Alton “speaks in tongues” — providing numbers fro encoded satellite transmissions.
Travelling only at night (because Alton is extremely photosensitive) they seek cover at the home of Elden, a former Ranch member. Overnight, what seems to be an earthquake is discovered to be an episode of blinding beams of light directly from Alton’s eyes into Elden.
Further paranormal events include a satellite crash apparently caused by the boy, who appears to grow increasingly weak until Roy allows him to witness his first sunrise. Alton explains that seeing the sun helped him realize his true identity. He explains that there is a world “built on top of” this one, and that he belongs to it.
Roy barrels through a roadblock, attempting to flee authorities. The boy and his mother exit the car and run into the woods. As Roy and Lucas lead the Army on a wild goose chase, Alton reaches the edge of a swamp. There, a great dome of light appears, engulfing much of Florida and surrounding states. Everyone inside the dome of light can see the futuristic structures of a parallel world.
THE OA
The OA is an American mystery drama television series with SCI-FI, Supernatural, and Fantasy elements. The OA debuted on Netflix on December 16, 2016. Created and executive produced by Brit Marling and Zal Batmanglij, the series is their third collaboration.
Synopsis
Part I
The series is about Prairie Johnson, an adopted young woman who resurfaces after having been missing for seven years. Upon her return, Prairie calls herself “the OA” (for “original angel”), has scars on her back, and can see, despite having been blind when she disappeared. The OA refuses to tell the FBI and her adoptive parents where she has been and how her eyesight was restored, and instead quickly assembles a team of five locals (four high school students and a teacher) to whom she reveals that information, also explaining her life story. Finally, she asks for their help to save the other missing people whom she claims she can rescue by opening a portal to another dimension.
Part II
The second season follows the OA as she traverses to another dimension and ends up in San Francisco to continue her search for her former captor Hap and her fellow captives. Prairie crosses paths with private eye Karim Washington and assists in his investigation of the surreal disappearance of a missing girl that involves an abandoned house with a supernatural history and an online puzzle game. Meanwhile, in the original dimension, a series of unfortunate events propels the OA’s five companions to embark on a road trip across America to assist the OA on her journey.
Meaning of Number 5
The OA was planned by its creators to be a five-part story told in five seasons. The number five symbolizes freedom, curiosity, and change — a desire to have adventures and explore new possibilities. We share their sensibilities. Each book in THE SURVIVAL TRILOGY is divided into 5 Parts.
UFO
UFO is a 2018 American SCI-FI film written and directed by Ryan Eslinger, and starring Gillian Anderson and Alex Sharp.
Synopsis
Derek Echevaro believes that, when he was younger, he saw a UFO. A UFO incident at the Cincinnati International Airport in 2017 motivates him to prove the existence of UFOs being of extraterrestrial origin. As a college student he seeks assistance from his girlfriend, Natalie, and mathematics professor, Dr. Hendricks.
In the end, Derek resolves the UFO’s mathematical riddles, and gets to a place to briefly see the UFO again. Right away, he gets detained by government forces who tell him they are already aware of Aliens, have resolved some of their riddles, but they appear to be far more complicated and there are far more to resolve.
Inspiration
Inspired by a real UFO sighting — reported on November 7, 2006, around 4:15 p.m. by 12 United Airlines employees and a few witnesses outside the airport at Chicago O’Hare International Airport. The object — a metallic, saucer-shaped craft hovering over Gate C-17 — was also witnessed by pilots, airline management and mechanics.
NIGHT RAIDERS
Night Raiders is a 2021 Canadian-New Zealand SCI-FI dystopian film written and directed by Danis Goulet. The film stars Elle-Máijá Tailfeathers, Brooklyn Letexier-Hart, Alex Tarrant, Amanda Plummer and Violet Nelson.
Synopsis
The year is 2043. A military occupation controls disenfranchised cities in post-war North America. Children are property of the State. A desperate Cree woman joins an underground band of vigilantes to infiltrate a State children’s academy and get her daughter back. Night Raiders is a female-driven dystopian drama about resilience, courage and love.
Review: SCI-FI Thriller
Reviewer Noel Murray states: “Though set in the near future, this film feels like an urgent warning, illustrating what might happen if a younger generation is cut off from its own history and culture.”
AFTER YANG
After Yang is a 2021 American metaphysical SCI-FI drama film written, directed, and edited by Kogonada. It stars Colin Farrell, Jodie Turner-Smith, Justin H. Min, Malea Emma Tjandrawidjaja, and Haley Lu Richardson.
Synopsis
Jake and Kyra live with their adoptive daughter Mika and Yang, a previously owned robotic child they purchased from certified reseller Second Siblings. When Yang becomes unresponsive, Jake goes on a mission to repair him. In a flashback, Yang reassures a curious Mika that she is still part of the family despite being adopted.
Jake takes Yang to a cheap repairman named Russ, who discovers what he claims is a hidden camera inside of Yang — that reveals short clips from Yang’s memory bank. In a flashback, Yang becomes sad about his inability to truly live. More memories reveal that Yang had lived an entire life before Jake owned him, one in which he developed a relationship with a woman named Ada — who later dies in a car accident. In a flashback, Yang and Kyra discuss the improbability of an afterlife.
At night, Mika tells Jake that she does not want to say goodbye to Yang. Jake agrees, and Mika begins to sing a song previously heard in one of Yang’s memories.
THE SURVIVAL TRILOGY
Inspired by tales of Ancient Aliens in Native Mythology and Real Events in modern time, each book in THE SURVIVAL TRILOGY explores insightful ideas about how we respond to Earthly visitation by ALIENS — and the role they have to play in shaping the future of Humanity.
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