User Reviews

This film was shot at a number of science fiction conventions, primarily at the 2000 WorldCon in Chicago. While naturally there is more than a bit of attention paid to the usual visual strangeness which accompanies the fannish lifestyle, the producers and directors of this film made a valiant effort to portray these "citizens of the imagiNation" as we really are. (Yes, I mean "we"; I'm in the film, my daughter is the last person appearing in the 'Alternative Ending/Epilog'!) Unfortunately, the subject matter of the film is people who think, and the things we think about. This means a lot of talking heads (albeit oddly dressed heads in some cases) and a lot of dialogue about cerebral matters. Toward the end the pace may lag more than a bit by most people's standards, even for a documentary.

I have to say that, without question, this is the most intelligent, literate and, most importantly, respectful look at fandom I've ever seen in the media. Instead of the standard, "Let's sneer at the geeks" attitude we're forced to endure in everything from the local news, to lame Conan O'Brien jokes, and even the better-known documentary Trekkies, this film asks serious questions about the past, present and future of our favorite genre, from both fans and pros alike. If a few mundanes would sit down and watch, they might discover that "nerds" do indeed possess some intelligence beneath their Klingon foreheads! Aside from the attributes I've already mentioned, this is also one of the most fun movies I've seen in years! Despite being severely handicapped, I attended cons regularly from 1982 to 1998, and they were some of the happiest days of my life. This movie brought it all back: the costumes, the panels, the filking, the impromptu debates in motel corridors, it was like an SF convention in my TV! I even saw some people whom I'd met in years past. When the final credits rolled, my eyes were stinging, because I never wanted it to end. In many ways, Finding the Future reminded me of something I might've seen on (the SCI FI Channel) in its glory days, back before a gang of know-nothing MBAs turned it into a dumping ground for Z-grade horror flicks, and sub-intelligent garbage like Mad Mad House and Tripping the Rift.

True, the editing in Finding the Future can be a bit choppy at times, the background music has a tendency to drown out the speakers, and I would've liked to have heard the opinions of fans other than those on the political left. But when one considers the condescending, almost mean-spirited coverage that fandom usually receives, this is no reason to complain.

Whether it's at a film festival, or its eventual release on DVD, see this movie! Afterwards, contact the producers and tell them what a great job they did. We owe them—big time.