Beginning with 1902’s A Trip to the Moon (watch now on our streaming service Kanopy!), the 12-minute, special-effects classic that invented the sci-fi film genre, space travel and lunar exploration have a long history in the movies.

What does film tell us about our fascination with and perception of the moon? The University of Missouri-Kansas City’s Mitch Brian explores the question, walking through Hollywood’s depiction of space flight and lunar landings using clips from silent movies, blockbuster classics, and documentaries.

Brian, an associate professor, teaches film studies, screenwriting, directing, and film adaptation at UMKC, and is an accomplished filmmaker and screenwriter himself. His presentation is part of the Library’s 2019 Summer Reading Program: Dare to Discover.