A small research project about the New Waves Era.

1. New Waves
(1960’s-1970’s)
Luiza Heilborn, Kirstie Chia,
Tonisha Clinton,Chevaughn
Mattis, and Boris Kot

2. Background and History
Technological changes in the world influenced New Wave science fiction works.
Deep disagreements about the consequences of these new technologies are expressed ,
New Wave writers tended to be critical.
WWII showed humanity the destructive side of technology and of mankind
Cold War as a political background-prompted questioning of economic systems at that
time.
Europe was losing its colonial dominance.
Changes in the world influenced the sci-fi writers to rebel against the pulp-formula of
previous science fiction works

3. Background and History
Advances in Sociology and Psychology turned sci-fi writers away from “hard-sciences”,as
shown in New Wave themes of film and literature works.
Civil Rights movement promoted questioning of values at that time period.
Challenging of social norms developed during the 60’s, giving strength to anti-
establishment ideas,some of them expressed in New Wave film and literature.
Term “New Wave” - comparison with the French New Wave film movement - experimental
subjects and techniques.
New Wave science fiction was, therefore, influenced by all political, economical and social
changes from the 60’s -70’s, reinventing a new genre of science fiction.

4. clips
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uU3B_5hVsns
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pBMvR_RnKu4

5. Introduction to Modes, Themes, and Tropes
The New Wave Era was about experimentation and incorporating mainstream
literary fiction with the best parts of science fiction.
Science fiction writers and film-makers were no longer interested in two-
dimensional war heroes who fought in space battles or imperialistic, glory seeking
nations who vowed to rule the galaxies. Instead, writers and filmmakers created
stories that focused on the human condition filled with sophisticated characters,
language, original characterization, a sense of involvement in human affairs, and
evoked a sense of real feelings.

6. Modes
Post-Apocalyptic
Dystopian
Alternative Reality
Apocalypse

7. Themes
War and conflict
Viewing the new frontier as “inner space”
as opposed to outer space. A focus
on the consciousness.
Scientific progress is viewed in a
negative light because of its
detrimental effect on people mentally
and emotionally.
Human stupidity and the delusional belief
in human superiority
Unnatural disasters caused by man-
made machinery such as nuclear

8. Tropes
Complex antiheroes
Free-love futures
“Science fantasy” aspects where events that
occurred could not have been scientifically
explained.
Vague endings or no endings at all.
Explorations of the inner mind or conscious.
(psychedelic)
Characters who suffer from a fate worse than
death and cannot cry for help.

9. Feminism and Gender
The New Wave era explored feminist resistance to women's oppression through
the reversal of gender roles and separatist societies.
Gender Roles Separatist Societies
1. Women are more prominent than male adventures 1. Lesbian Utopias
2. No separate spheres 2. Genderless Societies
3. Procreation without the help of men Ursula K. LeGuin
Joanna Russ’s The Female Man (1970)
1. Matriarchies
2. Male Pregnancies
Ursula K. Le Guin’s The Left Hand Of Darkness (1969)
1. Men undergoing cosmetic surgery to look like women
Joanna Russ and Ursula K. Le Guin

10. Sexual Orientation
Guin’s The Left Hand of Darkness (1969)
Bisexuality
Russ’s The Female Man (1970)
Men having sexual relations with men
who have women like features.
-The gay man
Samuel R. Delany’s Triton (1976)
Sexual themes almost “pornographic”
involving both gay and straight individuals.

11. Major Figures in New Wave
History
Michael Moorcock
- New Worlds Magazine
- Kicked off the New Wave movement with
the first exclusive experimental and literary
focused SF Magazine

12. Major Figures in New Wave
History
Judith Merril
- England Swings Anthology
- Ushered in the New Wave from Britain to
America

13. Major Figures in New
Wave History
Harlan Ellison
- DANGEROUS VISIONS
- Again, Dangerous Visions
- *The Last Dangerous Vision*
Induced an iconoclastic shift into SF that
included sex and politics

14. Touchstone Films
There were two significant sci-fi film's released that
would use improved video and audio equipment,
improved filming techniques and very importantly
attempt to match the current times sociopolitical
atmosphere. These factors would help set the bar for
many future films of its kind as they made a stronger
connection with the audience.
1966- "Fahrenheit 451", was a film about freedom of
speech and the government becoming too
overpowering over its people.
1966- "Fantastic voyage" where sci-fi for the first
time ventured into the human body. This movie was
about a team and their nuclear submarine
miniaturized in order to try and save a scientist from
a blood clot that had formed in his brain.

15. New Wave
Films
1965- Andre Michelin’s “Alphaville”, - A mix between dystopian science fiction and film noir. This movie shows
the dangers of allowing the government gain control of individuals thinking including free will, love and emotion.
1966- Star Trek “The Original Series”, - Themes in many episodes are inspired by the Cold War, sociological
themes are also present
1968- Arthur P. Jacobs’ "Planet of the Apes", - Had the general premise imagining what the world would be like
if apes took overtook mankind and gained control of the world. We see the apes in their developing society which
closely resembles that of the humans with a hierarchy and a democratic system.
1968- Arthur C. Clarke's "2001: A Space Odyssey", - Utilizes A.I., HAL is capable of human emotions and turns
on the astronauts on the ships. An example of how advanced technology may not always take a beneficial turn.

16. Citations
Higgins, David. “Science Fiction,1960-2005: Novels and Short Fiction”Women in Science Fiction and Fantasy, Volume One:
Overviews.Ed.Robin Anne Reid. Westport:Greenwood,2009.73-83
Higgins, David.“New Wave Science Fiction”. Video Lecture.A Virtual Introduction to Science Fiction.Ed.Lars Schmeink.
Web.2013.<http://virtual-sf.com/?page_id=321>
Greenland, Colin. The Entropy Exhibition: Michael Moorcock and the British 'New Wave' in Science Fiction. Boston: Routledge, 1983.
Gioia, Ted. "When Science Fiction Grew Up." Conceptualfiction.com. Conceptual Fiction, 17 Sept. 2014. Web. 7 Feb. 2016
Fahrenheit 451. Vineyard Films, 1966. Web.
Fantastic Voyage. Twentieth Century Fox, 1966. Web.
Alphaville Une Étrange Aventure De Lemmy Caution. Chaumiane Production-Film Studio, 1965. Web.
“New Wave Science Fiction-TV Tropes.” TV Tropes . N.p., n.d. Web 08
Star Trek. Perf. William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy. 1968. Web.
Planet of the Apes. Dir. Franklin J. Schaffner. 1968. Web.
2001, a Space Odyssey. Dir. Stanley Kubrick. 1968. Web.

17. Contributions
History - Luiza Heilborn
Modes, Themes, Tropes - Kirstie Chia
Feminism and Gender - Tonisha Clinton
Literature - Chevaughn Mattis
Films - Boris Kot
Composed/Edited Powerpoint - Kirstie Chia