Moon

Moon (2009) is a critically acclaimed debut feature that explores ethical questions and themes of isolation and identity, drawing inspiration from 1970s and 1980s science fiction films. The film is open to various readings and interpretations, and its production history highlights the constraints of British low-budget filmmaking and the creative team's vision for the future. The critical reception of Moon will be examined, and how its themes were further developed in Duncan Jones' next film, Source Code (2011).

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 120 pages
Publication date: 03 April 2023
Publisher: Liverpool University Press

One of the most celebrated debut features of this century, Moon (2009) tells the seemingly 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 Robbs Constellation volume begins by covering the early filmmaking and influences of director Jones, and briefly looking 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 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).

Dimension: 190 x 135 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781800856431