Solaris (2002)

Work Title: Solaris (2002)
Medium: Film
Episode Title:
Year: 2002
Writer(s): Stanislaw Lem
"Original" Writer: Yes Writer(s): Steven Soderbergh
"Original" Writer: Yes Own work?: No
Summary:

Summary: From http://www.solaristhemovie.com/ Steven Soderbergh, whose eclectic resume includes the Academy Award(R)-winning drama "Traffic" as well as last year's ensemble caper "Ocean's Eleven," now brings his unique vision to SOLARIS, a story of love, redemption, second chances and a space mission gone terribly wrong. SOLARIS is a love story rich with emotion and mystery, set within a science fiction framework. The story, which takes place sometime in the future, opens as Dr. Chris Kelvin is asked to investigate the unexplained behavior of a small group of scientists aboard the space station Prometheus, who have cut off all communication with Earth. Kelvin undertakes the journey after watching a communique from his close friend Gibarian, the mission's commander, who seeks Kelvin's help aboard the Prometheus for reasons Gibarian is unwilling - or unable - to explain. Keenly aware that his opinion will decide the fate of the orbital station, Kelvin is shocked by what he finds upon his arrival: Gibarian has committed suicide and the two remaining scientists are exhibiting signs of extreme stress and paranoia, seemingly caused by the results of their examination of the planet Solaris. Kelvin, too, becomes entrapped in the unique world's mysteries. Solaris, somehow, presents him with a second chance at love - to change the course of a past relationship that has caused him overwhelming guilt and remorse. But can he really revisit and alter the past? Or is he fated to repeat its mistakes?

Era/Year of Portrayal: near_future
Distinctive characteristics of the world in portrayal:

Clothing and way of life look similar to now. Technology does not appear to have advanced that much.

Technology

  • Name of portrayed presence-evoking technology: Unlike other films, Solaris does not have a specific name for the technology used. The technology is cloning, where human beings are literally replicated based on a dead person. Chris Kelvin (George Clooney) and Gordon (Viola Davis) refer to the clones as “It.”
  • Description of the technology: The clones appear to be normal human beings because they possess completely human characteristics and traits, such as emotion. The users of the technology, in this case, Kelvin and Gordon interact with the clones, particularly Kelvin’s wife Rhea, as though they are “normal” and still alive. No part of their physical presence suggests that they are not human. The social realism is quite high. Kelvin reacts to his wife upon first seeing her since her death as though she is real. In no way do the clones act superior, it is their goal to be as human as possible and in essence, make the users forget that they are not really alive.
  • Nature of task or activity: The users, Kelvin and Gordon, interact with the clones as if they are real.
  • Performance of the Technology: The technology, the “It” or clone, functions as a human being and is not always aware that it is a clone.
  • Description of creator(s): We do not know anything about the creators of this technology because it is not addressed in the movie, other than the fact that Kelvin mentions he sent his wife off into space after her death.
  • Major goal(s) of creator(s): The major goal of the creator, from what we can tell, is to kill humans, become their clone, and convince other humans they are real. I guess they are a threat to human society.
  • Description of users of technology: The users of the technology, or the clones, are Kelvin, a psychologist in his late 30s who is widowed, and Gordon, a female researcher on the Prometheus.
  • Type(s) of presence experience in the portrayal: social_presence
  • Description of presence experience: When Kelvin initially awoke and found his supposedly dead wife (Rhea) in his room on the Prometheus, he was shocked and could not understand how she got there. In addition, Rhea assumed they were at home and had no memory of how she ended up in space. Kelvin engages with her, at first, as though she is a normal human being. However, as the story progresses and Gordon tells Rhea she is not human, he begins to have conversations with her about the fact that she is a clone.
  • User awareness of technology during experience: The technology users are aware that they interact with technology but their conversations and actions do not always suggest this to be true. For example, Kelvin states, "All I see is you."
  • Valence of experience: Kelvin enjoys his experience with Rhea. Gordon, on the other hand, is more apprehensive because she believes all clones are a threat to human beings. Towards the end of the film, Gordon states: “It’s not human. Whatever it is, it’s not human and I’m threatened by that. I want humans to win.”
  • Specific responses: Of particular note is the fact that Rhea tells Kelvin that she is based on his memories of her, not necessarily what they each truly experienced during their marriage.
Long-term consequences:

Because the clones are designed to take over humankind, they are a threat and must be destroyed. There is a technology that allows them to be designated and Rhea asks Gordon to use that on her because Rhea cannot return to Earth with Kelvin. The final scene of the film places Kelvin in his home making dinner and suddenly Rhea appears. It is assumed that Kelvin is alive, but then asks: “Am I alive or dead.” Rhea replies, “We don’t have to think like that anymore.”

Other:

Coder name: Eliza Jacobs
Coder email: eliza.jacobs@temple.edu
Coder affiliation: Temple University Philadelphia, PA