By Ryan Keating-Lambert
Godzilla, Gattaca and a medley of new films will screen in this year’s diverse programme at the Future Gate Sci-fi Film Festival, one of Czech Republic’s most enjoyable and entertaining film festivals.
The Prague leg of the festival will open on Wednesday, February 27th in Kino Lucerna with new Hungarian film Lajko: Gypsy in Space, a black comedy that suggests the first living animal in space was not actually a dog, but rather a pilot crop duster named Lajos, who has dreamt of going into space ever since he accidentally shot his mother there with a homemade excrement-powered rocket.
Other new films include A.I. Rising – a socialist space tale of android identity from Serbia, recent award-winner Freaks (not to be confused with the 1932 Tod Browning classic) – a genre-bending psychological thriller starring Emile Hirsch (Into the Wild) that focuses on a world where being different can be lethal, and Prospect – a family survival drama set on a distant planet starring Pedro Pascal (Narcos).
Among this year’s festival guests will be stand-up comic and actor Norman Lovett, famous for portraying ‘Holly’ on cult sci-fi series Red Dwarf. Lovett will introduce a first season marathon of the series as well as new comedy Evil Aliens. Other guests include Hungarian director Balázs Lengyel (Lajko: Gypsy in Space), director Lazar Bodroza (A.I. Rising) and Prague-based storyboard artist and illustrator Kurt van der Basch (Cloud Atlas, Star Wars: The Force Awakens).
Classic titles this year include aforementioned genetic engineering drama Gattaca (1996), cult monster movie Godzilla (1954), and Japanese anime classic Cowboy Bebop: The Movie (2001).
In addition to the film programme, the festival will also present a selection of sci-fi short films, live music, workshops and seminars.
For full programme and ticket details, check out the festival website.
Photos: Future Gate
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