Reading Film Theatre to screen Aelita: Queen of Mars
Monday, 18 February 2013
The most notable part of the film remains its remarkable constructivist Martian sets and costumes
The University of Reading's Arts Committee has provided funds for Reading Film Theatre to screen the original silent classic, Aelita: Queen of Mars, one of the earliest full-length films ever to have been made about space travel.
The film is based on Aleksey Tolstoy's novel of the same name which is set in 1921 at the beginning of the New Economic Policy, and is considered to be the first Soviet science fiction film. Nikolai Tsereteli plays Los, an engineer who builds a spaceship to fulfil his dream of travelling to another planet in order to meet the beautiful Aelita, Queen of Mars, (Yuliva Solntseva).
The most notable part of the film remains its remarkable constructivist Martian sets and costumes. Their influence can be seen in a number of later films, including the Flash Gordon serials.
The film will be accompanied by a live soundtrack played by Minima - four musicians; guitarists, a double bassist and drummer. The band regularly performs in cinemas and art centres across Europe, playing alongside silent and avant-garde film and their music has been described as an audacious 21st century interpretation of the images of silent and avant-garde film.
Aelita: Queen of Mars (PG) is on Thursday 21 February at 8pm in G10, Palmer Building. Members cost £5.50, non-members £7.50. Tickets available in advance from www.readingfilmtheatre.co.uk or from the box office on the night.
Reading Film Theatre is an independent cinema and registered charity based in the Palmer building. It relies on volunteers for front-of-house and box office duties, management, marketing and publicity. If you would like to help, please contact Amrit rft@reading.ac.uk 0118 378 7151