Controversial Dox

The Visit: An Alien Encounter

Michael Madsen
Screening time  
25.02. / Thursday, 22:00 - 00:00 Theatre 5  
We’ve been fantasizing about an extraterrestrial visit for decades, but what would happen if it actually took place?

How would we cope? Should we be afraid? These and many other questions are addressed in this philosophical film about a hypothetical initial contact with aliens. Scientists and space affairs specialists at the UN and NASA and in the British government cooperate in this cinematic simulation of the undoubtedly exciting meeting between extraterrestrial life and humanity. The interviewees speak directly to the unknown entities as if they’ve already arrived. From their own fields – politics, theology, sociology, biology or space science – they ask probing questions. What are you doing here? Do you have a sense of right and wrong? Do you carry bacteria that could make us sick?...
Above all, the alien visit raises questions about the relation between our own history of exploration, colonization and warfare, and the expectations with which we approach the unknown.

Coc_madsen_starbird

Michael Madsen

Michael Madsen is a conceptual artist and director of the multiple award-winning Into Eternity (2010). Recent films include Halden Prison and part of Cathedrals of Culture initiated by Wim Wenders and screened at 2015 ZagrebDox. In addition, Michael has been guest lecturer at The Royal Danish Academy of Art, The Danish Film School, University of California, University of Western Sydney, School of Architecture, London.

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The visit: An Alien Encounter

Denmark, Norway, Finland, Ireland, Austria
2015, 85'

Directed by:
Michael Madsen

Cinematography:
Heikki Färm

Edited by:
Stefan Sundölf

Music:
Øivind Weingaarde

Producer:
Lise Lense-Møller

Produced by:
Magic Hour Films

Festivals & Awards:

Sundance Film Festival 2015; IDFA 2015; Visions du Réel 2015; Crossing Europe Filmfestival Linz 2015; Beldocs International Documentary Film Festival 2015