The Next Reel Film Podcast

What works and what doesn’t work in this film? What makes the interesting and sometimes dated effects work so well for us? And which version should you watch? Tune in to this week’s show to get answers to these questions and more!

Show Notes

In 2001, Nikolai Viktorov restored his father’s 1981 film Per Aspera Ad Astra for its 20th anniversary. This version has new special effects and a restored soundtrack, but Viktorov also decided to excise 25 minutes of footage from the film. Apparently, this decision was to tighten everything up a bit but also to remove some of the Soviet ideologies from the story. Whichever version of the film you watch, the ideologies seem relatively light so it seems an odd choice to remove content for a restored version. Regardless, the film makes for an interesting conversation. Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we continue our Soviet Science Fiction series with Richard Viktorov’s 1981 film To the Stars By Hard Ways.
We talk about the ideologies present in the film and the mild changes in the new version. We look at how the film works and why largely it doesn’t. We chat about the effects and why they work in interesting ways, despite feeling very dated for the age. We discuss some of the performers like Yelena Metyolkina and Vladimir Fyodorov and why they all work so well in this film. And we hit on how this film could’ve worked better for us. 
It’s not a completely successful film but certainly an interesting one to watch and discuss. We have a great time talking about it, so check it out then tune in! The Next Reel – when the movie ends, our conversation begins!
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Creators and Guests

Host
Andy Nelson
With over 25 years of experience in film, television, and commercial production, Andy has cultivated an enduring passion for storytelling in all its forms. His enthusiasm for the craft began in his youth when he and his friends started making their own movies in grade school. After studying film at the University of Colorado Boulder, Andy wrote, directed, and produced several short films while also producing indie features like Netherbeast Incorporated and Ambush at Dark Canyon. Andy has been on the production team for award-winning documentaries such as The Imposter and The Joe Show, as well as TV shows like Investigation Discovery’s Deadly Dentists and Nat Geo’s Inside the Hunt for the Boston Bombers. Over a decade ago, he started podcasting with Pete and immediately embraced the medium. Now, as a partner at TruStory FM, Andy looks forward to more storytelling through their wide variety of shows. Throughout his career, Andy has passed on his knowledge by teaching young minds the crafts of screenwriting, producing, editing, and podcasting. Outside of work, Andy is a family man who enjoys a good martini, a cold beer, a nice cup o’ joe. And always, of course, a great movie.
Host
Pete Wright
#Movies, #ADHD, & #Podcasting • Co-founder @trustory.fm🎥 The Next Reel Family of #Film Podcasts @thenextreel.com🎙️ Taking Control: The ADHD Podcast @takecontroladhd.com📖 Co-author of Unapologetically ADHD • https://unapologeticallyadhdbook.com

What is The Next Reel Film Podcast?

A show about movies and how they connect.
We love movies. We’ve been talking about them, one movie a week, since 2011. It’s a lot of movies, that’s true, but we’re passionate about origins and performance, directors and actors, themes and genres, and so much more. So join the community, and let’s hear about your favorite movies, too.
When the movie ends, our conversation begins.