The Martian

The Martian

Sloan Foundation Film

Release Date

2015

Director

  • Ridley Scott

Cast

  • Matt Damon
  • Jessica Chastain
  • Kristen Wiig
  • Jeff Daniels
  • Sean Bean
  • Kate Mara
  • Chiwetel Ejiofor

Awards

  • San Francisco Film Society/Alfred P. Sloan Science in Cinema Prize, 2015

When astronauts mistakenly leave Mark Watney behind on Mars, the stranded visitor must use his wits, spirit, and scientific know-how to find a way to survive on the hostile planet.

During a manned mission to Mars, Astronaut Mark Watney (Matt Damon) is presumed dead after a fierce storm and left behind by his crew. But Watney has survived and finds himself stranded and alone on the hostile planet. With only meager supplies, he must draw upon his ingenuity, wit, and spirit to subsist and find a way to signal to Earth that he is alive. Millions of miles away, NASA and a team of international scientists work tirelessly to bring "the Martian" home, while his crewmates concurrently plot a daring, if not impossible, rescue mission. As these stories of incredible bravery unfold, the world comes together to root for Watney's safe return. Based on the best-selling novel by Andy Weir, and helmed by master director Ridley Scott, The Martian was nominated for three Golden Globes.

Possible Topics

  • The challenges and rewards of human exploration on Mars

Past Programs

2016

How much science did The Martian get right?

Robinson Film Center, Shreveport, LA

How do astronauts eat in space?

The Picture House, Pelham, NY

Life on Mars

Michigan Theater, Ann Arbor, MI

The Future of Space Travel

Capri Theatre, Montgomery, AL

From Mars to Montana: The Dirty Secret Behind Soil

Bozeman Film Society, Bozeman, MT

Mission: Mars

California Film Institute, San Rafael, CA

Mars and the Future of Space Travel

Cinema Arts Centre, Huntington, NY

Surviving the Extreme

The Loft Cinema, Tucson, AZ

2017

How to Survive on Mars

Moxie Cinema, Springfield, MO

Bring him home...or not?

Media Arts Center San Diego, San Diego, CA

Unraveling the High-Energy Universe

The State Theatre, Modesto, CA

Is there life on Mars?

Center of Science and Industry, Columbus, OH

The Martian Survivability Equation

MSP Film Society, Minneapolis, MN

2018

Can humans live on other planets?

Cable Car Cinema, Providence, RI

Simulating long-duration space exploration

Honolulu Museum of Art, Honolulu, HI

A conversation about space exploration

Gorton Community Center, Lake Forest, IL

2019

The astrophysics of The Martian

Roxy Theater, Missoula, MT

Science-ing the $%#& out of food cultivation

Utah Film Center, Salt Lake City, UT

2020

Living in space: Making Mars habitable

Indiana University Cinema, Bloomington, IN

Medicine on Mars

Ross Ragland Theater, Klamath Falls, OR

2021

2023

Living on Mars: It's not just science fiction anymore

California Film Institute, San Rafael, CA

2024

What makes a planet inhabitable?

Mesilla Valley Film Society, Mesilla, NM

From cosmic dust to Martian must

Buskirk-Chumley Theater, Bloomington, IN

Life on Mars?

FilmScene, Iowa City, IA

Intergalactic world building

Heartland Film, Indianapolis, IN

The man behind The Martian

Taos Center for the Arts, Taos, NM