2001: A Space Odyssey (Part 1)

As always there are spoilers ahead!

As we chronologically venture through science fiction history it is finally time to examine one of the heaviest of heavyweight sci-fi films. 2001: A Space Odyssey.

The idea is to most definitely watch the film before listening to the episode. If you don't want to do that and still want an overview of the film and the plot you can check out the Wikipedia entry here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2001:_A_Space_Odyssey

This is episode one of a four-episode mini-series. To make things even more confusing Episode 1 has two parts. This is part 1. Part 2 is also out. (Why two parts? Because I prefer a more digestible length of podcast.)

Please refer to these very show notes for some extra information or clarification.

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This is the longest episode I've ever recorded (hence the two parts) and I simply couldn't cut much of it down because of my phenomenal guests.

Michael Benson is an artist, filmmaker and author of a range of exciting books including the magnificently comprehensive 2018 Space Odyssey: Stanley Kubrick, Arthur C. Clarke, and the Making of a Masterpiece.

Scott Bukatman is a cultural theorist and Professor of Film and Media Studies at Stanford University. He has written extensively about popular culture with a focus on how it mediates between modern technologies and the human experience. He is also the author of the wonderful BFI book on Blade Runner (which we will get to in good time).

34:48 The literal translation of "alte kackers" which is how Stanley Kubrick's wife Christiane described the people at the premiere is "old shitters".

Chapters

00:00 Introduction

02:43 Childhood cinematic experiences of the film

07:31 Not understanding the film

09:57 The impact on sci-fi cinema

10:28 The proverbial good science fiction film

14:35 The philosophical nature of science fiction

17:09 Kubrick and Clarke in the mid 60s

21:26 Initial intentions

25:46 Special effects and immersion

33:04 The reception of the film

46:32 The ape arm throws a bone

51:15 Kubrick and improvisation

53:52 Outro to part one

NEXT EPISODE!

The next episode is already out and it's part 2 of this discussion! After that we will be prepping to discuss the special effects of 2001: A Space Odyssey in two weeks' time.