Austinist Movie Preview: Christmas on Mars

Christmas on Mars with Wayne Coyne in person
Saturday, October 11
Alamo Drafthouse Downtown (320 E 6th Street)
18+, 7:00, 9:40, 11:59
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Thought to be The Flaming Lips' filmic Chinese Democracy, the feature film Christmas on Mars, seven years in the making, is really their Smile – a long-delayed, ridiculously ambitious, completely weird work of art that has finally come to fruition.

The film stars Flaming Lips members Steven Drozd, Michael Ivins, and Wayne Coyne, with the latter playing a benevolent Martian. During the first Christmas on a newly-colonized Mars, the human inhabitants are facing difficulties from both technical (gravity control pod malfunctions) and emotional (suicide and loneliness) fronts. When Major Syrtis, played by Drozd, finds an unlikely ally in the Martian played by Coyne, it looks as though Christmas on Mars might be saved after all.

In addition to the Lips, Christmas on Mars features the acting talents of Modest Mouse’s Isaac Brock, Steve Burns formerly of the well-known children’s show "Blues Clues," Elijah Wood, and more. On Saturday evening, Austinites are in for a big treat as Coyne, who directed, wrote, and did all the cinematography and editing for the film (all in addition to having a starring role) will show the film to audiences at three Alamo Drafthouse shows in 35mm.

This contest is now closed. Congratulations, Michael F!