Mr. Kleks in space: science fiction for the end of state socialism

Abstract

Pan Kleks w kosmosie/Mr. Kleks in Space aka Mr. Blot in the Universe (Krzysztof Gradowski, 1988), is a genre hybrid, as testified by the fact that on the filmpolski.pl website, the largest Polish website listing films, it is classified as a ‘musical film’, ‘film for children’ and ‘fantastical film’. I argue that its hybridity reflects the transitional period between state socialism and capitalism when the film was made and premiered. In my discussion I draw on the research on children’s films and the concept of heterotopia. I also engage with the economic history of Poland during the last stage of state socialist rule.

Keywords:

• Pan Kleks w kosmosie
• Krzysztof Gradowski
• heterotopia
• Polish cinema
• science fiction
• children’s film

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

Notes

1 The organization of the Polish film industry, with semi-autonomous units, financed by the state, which covered the deficit of the making high-art, yet unprofitable films, fostered such anti-commercial approach.

2 The contemptuous term ‘Euro-pudding’ reflects the conviction that it is impossible to create a convincing film, reflecting on more than one national culture; that it will be effectively a heterotopia.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Ewa Mazierska

Ewa Mazierska is Professor of Film Studies at the University of Central Lancashire. She published over thirty monographs and edited collections, including Poland Daily: Economy, Work, Consumption and Social Class in Polish Cinema (Berghahn, 2017).