Polybius and The Last Starfighter
Cost: $22 ($18 members)
Urban legends have always found an enthusiastic home in the Pacific Northwest, from Bigfoot to the Shanghai Tunnels. These local legends tap into our fascination with the unknown, pique our collective curiosity, and often reflect the societal anxieties and moral panics of the times they emerge from. In this one-off class we will explore the decades-old urban legend of Polybius, the “killer arcade game” and the legends' reciprocal relationship to the film THE LAST STARFIGHTER.
Mysteriously appearing in Portland arcades in 1981, Polybius was an unmarked black arcade cabinet alleged to be highly addictive, visually hypnotic, and in some cases deadly! Rumors swirled about nefarious supernatural elements, alien plots, and even secret government programs. If this sounds like a movie… well you may be on to something!
This class will be taught by Dylan Reiff, a writer/performer who co-founded Kickstand Comedy and has worked with the Sundance Film Festival, Fantastic Fest, the Stanley Film Festival, and Overlook Film Festival.
Class will begin with a short lecture, followed by a screening of the film, after which an instructor-led discussion will take place.
Class size will be limited to 18.
Questions? Email us at education@moviemadness.org