Moon - (Constellations) by Brian J Robb (Paperback)

About the Book

One of the most acclaimed debut features of this century, Moon (2009) harks back to classics of 1970s and 1980s science fiction films cinema in its philosophical and theological preoccupations. Brian Robb's Constellation covers the early filmmaking and influences of director Duncan Jones, provides a production history of the film, and examines questions of isolation and identity, curiosity and investigation as raised in Moon.

Book Synopsis

One of the most acclaimed debut features of this century, Moon (2009) tells the superficially simple story of Sam Bell (Sam Rockwell), who mines Helium-3 on the dark side and comes face to face with his doppelgänger. Out of this scenario, director and co-writer Duncan Jones explores ethical questions that can be examined for philosophical depths, calling back to such 1970s and 1980s science fiction films as Silent Running (1972), Soylent Green (1973), Logan's Run (1976), Alien (1979), and Outland (1981). Just as the moon so often visible above Earth has been interpreted in a variety of ways throughout human history, so the film Moon is open to various readings and interpretations.
Brian Robb's Constellation volume begins by covering the early filmmaking and influences of director Jones, and briefly look at past depictions of the moon in science fiction cinema. He goes on to provide a production history of the film, with a particular focus on how the constraints of British low-budget filmmaking inspire creativity, and how the creative team envisioned the future. Subsequent chapters examine questions of isolation and identity as raised in Moon - what defines a human being? How does differing experience change each of the Sam Bell clones? - and issues of theology by examining notions of curiosity and investigation. Finally, the critical reception of Moon is will be examined, with a consideration of the way film's themes were further developed and extrapolated upon in Duncan Jones' next film, Source Code (2011).

About the Author

Brian J. Robb is the New York Times and Sunday Times bestselling biographer of Leonardo DiCaprio, Johnny Depp and Brad Pitt. He has also written books on silent cinema, the films of Philip K. Dick, Wes Craven and Laurel and Hardy, as well as television series Doctor Who and Star Trek. He is co-editor of the Sci-Fi Bulletin website.