Preview – “Invisible Universe:
A History Of Blackness In Speculative Fiction”
Here’s a film I profiled back in 2009… a work-in-progress at the time that’s still very much a work-in-progress… It’s titled Invisible Universe: A History Of Blackness In Speculative Fiction, and it explores the relationship between African Diasporic images and popular fantasy, horror, science fiction literature and film, as well as the alternative perspectives produced by content creators of color.
The documentary features interviews with major writers, scholars, artists and filmmakers and explores comics, television, film and literature by deconstructing stereotyped images of black people in the genres, revealing how black creators have been consciously creating their own universe.
M. Asli Dukan is the writer, producer and director, a New York City resident, and graduate from The City University of New York with a Master of Fine Arts degree in Media and Communication Arts in 1999.
The project apparently still needs funding to be completed. The Invisible Universe Foundation is a sponsored project of Fractured Atlas, a non-profit arts service organization.
The last update on the project’s website states… “Invisible Universe needs your help! In order to continue this important work, we will need to secure considerable financial support. Your contribution of any size will help make this groundbreaking documentary a reality. Since 2003, the filmmakers have been traveling to conduct interviews nationwide and have been incurring mounting expenses for equipment and supplies to finish this project, most of it coming out of the filmmakers’ pockets. We have already accumulated hours of footage and believe with your help, we can bring this feature length documentary to life!”
I’m waiting for a reply from the filmmaker on the project’s status, and once I know something, so will you.
Here’s its trailer: