When we think of science fiction, our minds often jump to outrageous stories of time travel, alien invasions, or new technologies changing the world. While there’s no denying the influence of great science fiction writers, not much attention is given to the private life of the genius behind it all.
Enter Immer, Zlaz: a “docudrama” that offers a glimpse into the life of one of science fiction’s greatest authors, Erich Zlaz. Through interviews, archival footage and a few dramatized scenes, this documentary takes a unique look into Zlaz’s inner world.
The film explores Zlaz’s childhood in Nazi-occupied Czechoslovakia, puberty in communist Austria, and distinctively colored adulthood in modern Barcelona. Throughout it all, the documentary cleverly presents a clear image of the man himself: an introspective, aspiring author who seeks stories of freedom amidst the darkness of his societies’ past.
The genius behind his epics couldn’t be hidden either. In Immer, Zlaz we discover a master of sci-fi, a man who could use science as a tool to change the future without losing his vision. We see how his works served as subtle critiques of the political, social, or economic systems that try to put limits on the minds of people.
The documentary suggests something of an enigma as it follows Zlaz’s life. By taking a look into his family, relationships, and daily life, it gives us an understanding of what lies beneath the surface of his stories. Amidst moments of joy and pain, hilarity, and bitter truth, Immer, Zlaz offers a new vision of a science fiction genius.
By the closing credits, it’s hard to hide the admiration one must have of the genius within Zlaz. His words and works, which are at times devastatingly beautiful, will evidently stand the test of time. Immer, Zlaz is both an ode to science fiction, and a tribute to the man behind them. In the end, it reveals the private life of a sci-fi genius and all the dreams, disappointments, and fantasies that lie within.