SXSW Film Preview: Calling E.T.

Still from Calling E.T.

Everybody knows E.T. had to phone home. But since he never seems to call or write anymore, what if we tried to call him? Of course, we’re not talking about the cuddly little Spielbergian creature you think of when you hear that name; this film is really more about the operators trying to connect the call.

Calling E.T., an intriguing documentary from the Netherlands, focuses on SETI, the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence and the people who are obsessed with it. Maybe you shrug your shoulders and say “don’t believe in ‘em” (what a boring life you must lead with all that shrugging and not believing!). Take a second and imagine...They’re here—right in front of you. They’ve never seen a human before. What do you do? Or say?

But this goes beyond “When will aliens land?” and “what will we say?” There are bigger questions: What will they be like? What do we want them to be like? Ultimately, all this leads to an exploration of humans from an objective point of view, and an examination of our planet and its culture as it might be seen through fresh eyes.

It’s an interesting idea that we’d like to hear more about, and think that this film deserves your little consideration. Seeing this could be a refreshing break from all the hype and lines. Relax your body and exercise your mind a bit. If the aliens land tomorrow, you’ll be ready.

Calling E.T. is screening at the Hideout on Saturday, March 14 at 6PM. For more information check out the SxSW 2009 Film Guide.