Science-fiction fans will now be able to travel the expanses of time, through the eternal darkness of space and the farthest reaches of the imagination all while relaxing comfortably in one of the most state-of-the-art facilities in town.
The FedEx Institute of Technology will begin its new Friday film series entitled "Collisions with the Continuum" tomorrow night at 7 p.m. in the Zone. Admission is free and The Institute of Technology will provide refreshments.
The series will have a time-travel theme and will include science-fiction favorites such as "12 Monkeys," "Planet of the Apes" and "Donnie Darko."
The first installment is the 1960 adaptation of the H.G. Wells novel "The Time Machine," which depicts a Victorian Englishman who travels to the far future and finds that humanity has divided into two hostile species.
The film series is just one of several new programs funded by the FedEx gift, which provides The University of Memphis with $1 million a year for the next five years.
"What we are trying to accomplish with this film series is to build a bridge between the research we are doing at the FedEx Institute and the community at-large," said Tiffany Brammer, FedEx Institute program manager. "We want everyone to know what we are working on here."
What they are working on contains themes that are prevalent in many of these movies such as artificial intelligence, sensor technology and robotics.
"We wanted to show films with science-fiction influences because, believe it or not, this is really what the future is going to be all about," said Bob Gaston, interim director of FedEx Institute operations. "All of this really isn't that far away."
In addition to giving students and faculty the chance to see some great movies for free, this also provides an opportunity for members of The U of M community to come check out the modern FedEx facility.
"In addition to giving our research some needed exposure we really want students, faculty and the media to come check out the FedEx Zone," Gaston said. "I think that the majority of people will find it very impressive."
The film series is also intended to highlight the focus on technology here at The U of M.
"I think that it is very important to show the community that the FedEx Institute of Technology is very much a part of The University of Memphis, and really is only one of the many assets of The University," Gaston said.
