How were the dreams and disappointments of the Russian Revolution, the utopias it promised and dystopias that often resulted, reflected in Soviet science fiction films? During this five-session (with an optional sixth session) course, we will explore the evolution of these films over five key periods in Soviet history – from the heady post-revolutionary 1920s through the authoritarian Stalin regime, the thaw of the Khrushchev era, the stagnation of the Brezhnev era, and, finally, the collapse of the USSR during the regime of Mikhail Gorbachev. We’ll begin with the outer space fantasy, Aelita (1924), followed by utopian plans for Moscow in The New Moscow (1939); the underwater sci-fi romance, Amphibian Man (1961); and the time-travel comedy, Ivan Vasilievich: Back to the Future (1973). We’ll then return to outer space with the Soviet cult classic, Kin-dza-dza (1986). For those who are interested, there will be an optional sixth session to discuss Andrei Tarkovsky’s epic Solaris (1972). In studying these films, we will examine how science fiction reflected, and commented on, trends in Soviet history, politics, and cultural life. All of the films will be viewed in class apart from Solaris, which participants will need to watch on their own. Historic context and background materials will be provided in advance of each session.