Sundance 2019: “Memory: Origins of Alien”
Just in time for the 40th anniversary of a ’70s sci-fi/horror classic, the new documentary “Memory: Origins of Alien” sets out to delve into the history of Ridley Scott’s much beloved 1979 film by exploring the many directions it took on to make it to the big screen. The title takes its name from the original working title of the Dan O’Bannon screenplay that would eventually go on to become “Alien.”
Truth be told, this is primarily a documentary for hardcore fans only. But then, I count myself as a pretty big fan, and while there was plenty of insight that I greatly enjoyed here, there were times throughout this picture where the theory-heavy dissection of “Alien” sort of slow it down.
Alexandre O. Philippe, who made “The People Vs. George Lucas” and the Alfred Hitchcock love letter “78/52,” is more interested in taking an artsy approach as opposed to going all fanboy. With the theories behind “Alien” and the overall dissection of the film — most of these theories shared by film scholars and intellectuals — “Memory” sometimes plays a little more like “Room 237,” a documentary inspired by “The Shining,” although it never goes to that film’s extremes.
There are interesting aspects to some of this stuff. “Memory” spends quite a bit of time exploring the sexual subtext at the heart of “Alien,” which is fairly clear by way of H.R. Giger’s gorgeous designs. But then there are other moments in the film that overreach a tad.
Maybe it’s because I’m a boring fanboy, but the more interesting aspects of this picture are an extended exploration into the construction of the most iconic sequence in “Alien” and when Philippe simply allows actors from the Scott’s film (including Tom Skerritt and Veronica Cartwright) to share behind-the-scenes stories. Cooler still, the first 25 minutes or so of “Memory” are dedicated to the life of screenwriter Dan O’Bannon, including his many influences, his “Dark Star” era friction with the great John Carpenter, and his unwavering bond with Giger, whose gothic, heavily Lovecraft-influenced artwork would go a long way to shape the overall look of what would eventually become one of Scott’s most beloved films.
“Memory: Origins of Alien” does offer a few stock interviews with the legendary Ridley Scott. But again, this doc tends to be a little more interested in theory, hence the subtitle, “Origins of Alien.” It’s also a little all over the place and doesn’t always feel entirely focused. “Memory” opens with a frightening, nightmarish sequence that I can only assume was inspired by a vivid O’Bannon or Giger nightmare, and truth be told, in terms of sheer visual style, it’s creepier and more unsettling than anything in “Alien: Covenant.” But I’m not entirely certain it fits in this documentary.
Again, if you’re a fan of 1979’s “Alien,” “Memory: Origins of Alien” is worth a watch. I’d be lying, though, if I said this particular fan wasn’t hoping for a little bit more. Honestly, a doc solely focusing on the relationship between O’Bannon and Giger would have been a more interesting approach.
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