CONTACT (1997) Explained

Summary

In this video, Film Comics Explained delves into the 1997 sci-fi drama 'Contact,' directed by Robert Zemeckis and based on Carl Sagan's novel. The story follows Eleanor Arroway, a SETI scientist who discovers a signal from an extraterrestrial civilization, sparking a debate between science, religion, and geopolitics. As humanity's first contact with intelligent life unfolds, Arroway's journey challenges our understanding of the universe and our place in it. The film explores themes of faith, discovery, and the pursuit of knowledge, blending personal loss with the vastness of space. Sagan's vision is immortalized in both the novel and the film, urging viewers to question their beliefs and embrace the unknown.

Takeaways

• 😀 The 1997 film *Contact*, directed by Robert Zemeckis, is based on Carl Sagan's 1985 novel about humanity's first contact with extraterrestrial life.
• 😀 The protagonist, Dr. Eleanor Arroway, is based on Sagan's friend, Jill Tarter, who directed the Center for SETI Research.
• 😀 The movie explores the clash between science and religion, particularly through the relationship between Arroway and Palmer Joss, a spiritual enthusiast.
• 😀 The film portrays Earth's first discovery of an extraterrestrial signal coming from Vega, 26 light-years away, which triggers global interest and debate.
• 😀 The signal contains a video of Hitler's 1936 Olympic address, leading scientists to realize it's Earth's first TV transmission strong enough to leave the atmosphere.
• 😀 Arroway's team decodes over 60,000 pages of data, leading them to discover the design for a machine capable of interstellar travel.
• 😀 A global collaboration builds the Vega machine, but an extremist attack destroys the first vessel, resulting in casualties.
• 😀 The film includes a plot twist where a second, secret Vega machine is constructed, and Arroway is chosen to travel through it as the lone occupant.
• 😀 Arroway's journey through the wormhole reveals stunning alien environments and leads her to a vision of her late father, embodying the alien intelligence's ability to communicate in familiar forms.
• 😀 Upon returning to Earth, Arroway struggles to convince others of her journey, with most questioning her account as a hoax, while a key piece of evidence supports her story: 18 hours of static recorded during her travel.
• 😀 Despite the film's scientific and religious themes seemingly at odds, by the end, both perspectives converge in the quest for meaning and understanding of humanity's place in the universe.

Q & A

What is the primary plot of the film 'Contact'?

The film 'Contact' follows Dr. Eleanor Arroway, a scientist working with SETI, as she discovers a signal from an extraterrestrial civilization. The film explores the themes of science, religion, and humanity's place in the universe, particularly focusing on the challenges of communication with advanced alien life and the complexities of political, social, and religious reactions to the discovery.

Who is the protagonist of the film and what motivates her?

The protagonist of the film is Dr. Eleanor Arroway, played by Jodie Foster. She is driven by her father's encouragement and her own fascination with the possibility of extraterrestrial life. After her father's death, she dedicates her life to the search for alien life, working with SETI and using radio telescopes to listen for extraterrestrial signals.

How does 'Contact' incorporate the themes of science versus religion?

Throughout the film, the debate between science and religion is embodied by the relationship between Dr. Eleanor Arroway and Palmer Joss, a spiritual enthusiast. Arroway represents the scientific perspective, while Joss challenges her views with spiritual and religious perspectives, especially regarding the existence of God and the meaning of life. The film ultimately suggests that both science and faith may lead to similar realizations about humanity's place in the universe.

What role does Carl Sagan's work play in the creation of 'Contact'?

The film is based on Carl Sagan's 1985 novel 'Contact,' and Sagan's scientific expertise and vision significantly shaped both the novel and the movie. Sagan was an astronomer and science communicator who helped popularize science, particularly through his TV series 'Cosmos.' The film reflects his passion for exploring the unknown and the potential for humanity's first contact with extraterrestrial life.

How does the film depict the alien civilization's method of communication?

In the film, the alien civilization communicates with humanity through a series of prime numbers, and later, a video transmission of Hitler’s speech from the 1936 Olympics, believed to be the first broadcast signal strong enough to leave Earth’s atmosphere. The aliens also send complex data in the form of 60,000 pages, which initially confuse the scientific community, but ultimately lead to the discovery of the plans for a transport machine.

What is the significance of the transport machine in the plot?

The transport machine is a key element of the story. It is revealed to be a device capable of taking a single occupant on a journey through a network of wormholes, potentially allowing travel to distant star systems. The machine symbolizes humanity’s first real step towards joining an interstellar community, although its construction and use are marred by political, social, and security issues.

Why is Dr. Eleanor Arroway's discovery met with skepticism and opposition?

Dr. Arroway faces skepticism and opposition primarily from David Drumlin, a government advisor, who believes that her search for extraterrestrial intelligence is futile. Additionally, the National Security Council and other political figures are concerned about the potential security risks of her discovery. The lack of transparency and cooperation among world governments also contributes to the tension surrounding her work.

What happens during the machine's construction and testing phase?

During the machine's construction and testing phase, there is considerable international competition and pressure. Dr. Arroway and other candidates are subjected to rigorous tests to determine who will travel in the machine. The project faces significant setbacks, including the destruction of the machine by extremists, leading to the death of several scientists working on it.

How does the journey through the transport machine affect Dr. Arroway?

Once Dr. Arroway enters the transport pod, she travels through wormholes and experiences surreal and disorienting phenomena, including glimpses of alien technologies and distant star systems. Ultimately, she encounters a projection of her late father, who reveals that the transport system is part of an ongoing project by other advanced civilizations. This encounter leads her to a deeper understanding of humanity's place in the universe.

How does the film conclude in terms of the relationship between science and religion?

At the end of the film, although Dr. Arroway cannot provide physical proof of her experience, she asks others to believe her based on faith. The film suggests that science and religion, while seemingly in opposition, may ultimately converge in their search for meaning and understanding, as both disciplines seek answers to humanity’s fundamental questions about existence and the cosmos.