Silent Running (1971, Douglas Trumbull) is an eco-science fiction film that depicts a ruined future in which all plant life on Earth has become extinct. Huge, orbiting spaceships with large greenhouse-like geodesic domes preserve the last remaining trees in the hopes of an eventual return to Earth and the reforestation of the planet. When resident botanist and ecologist Freeman Lowell receives an order to destroy the domes with nuclear charges he refuses, with disastrous result for himself and his crew members.

Cities of the Future Film Series

This film series presents free screenings of three iconic films that offer distinct visions of space, both social and architectural, and the shape of everyday life in a dramatically altered future. Each film will be introduced by a faculty member from the Department of Film and Media Studies. This series is presented in conjunction with the Tomás Saraceno: Cloud-Specific exhibition.