Bijou: Ikarie XB-1 (1963)

The Cold War space race between the United States and the Soviet Union in the 1950s gave science-fiction stories in both countries a major boost in popularity, and while most of these sci-fi narratives focused on catastrophes and external threats, only a few films imagined interstellar travel. In the 1960s, as space exploration became a reality, filmmakers began searching for a new direction within the space-travel genre. As seen here, made a full 50 years before Interstellar and reportedly an inspiration for Kubrick when he made 2001: A Space Odyssey we find Jindrich Polák’s Ikarie XB-1.

Ikarie XB-1 featured outstanding cinematography and sound design, but what would become the film’s most memorable aspect is its avant-garde production design. Interestingly, for the American release titled Voyage to the End of the Universe, American International Pictures heavily re-edited the film and altered a number of elements. Approximately 26 minutes of footage were removed, the story was significantly changed, the ship’s flight direction was reversed, and the Statue of Liberty was pasted into the final shot. The names of the cast and crew in the end credits were also substantially altered to appear more English-sounding.

Title (Year of Production): Ikarie XB 1 (1963)
Venue: Vuelie
Director: Jindrich Polák
Nationality: Former Czechoslovakia
Running time: 1h 26min / 86 min

Tickets purchased at the door
Film Club Member (NFK): 40 NOK
Non-Member: 100 NOK (includes Film Club membership in NFK + first screening free).
We also offer a Super Membership for 200 NOK. This provides Film Club membership in NFK and access to all screenings by the Studentersamfundet Film Club this semester.

This movie is going to be screened in Czech with English subtitles.

Doors: 19:45