The UN Office for Outer Space Affairs is cooperating with the Austrian Space Forum and the Austrian Ministry for Transport, Innovation and Technology to present an advance screening of The Martian. Based on a best-selling novel by Andy Weir and directed by Ridley Scott, The Martian tells the story of a daring rescue of Astronaut Mark Watney (Matt Damon) from Mars.
During a manned mission to Mars, Astronaut Mark Watney is presumed dead after a fierce storm and left behind by his crew. But Watney survived and finds himself stranded and alone on the hostile planet. With only meagre 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 plot a daring, if not impossible, rescue mission.
During the event, participants will hear from the Austrian Ministry for Transport, Innovation and Technology who will talk about their FTI remixed programme. This programme acts as a platform for young people to access research content on technology and innovation.
This will be followed by a special video from Charles Elachi, Director of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). JPL features heavily in the movie and this special video message will provide an update on NASA's Journey to Mars.
The event will then have a special talk between Simonetta Di Pippo, Director of UNOOSA, and Norbert Frischauf, Austrian Space Forum, on their own experiences with Mars exploration, on the importance of space science and just why The Martian is an important movie which promotes international cooperation in space.
BURG KINO, Opernring 19, 1010 Vienna, 19:30
PRICE-€9.50
Get your tickets online through austria@fox.com or in person at Burg Kino, Opernring 19, 1010 Wien
Photos will be available on our website soon.