Mr. Kleks in space: science fiction for the end of state socialism

Abstract

Pan Kleks w kosmosie/Mr. Kleks in Space aka Mr. Blot in the Universe (Krzysztof Gradowski, 1988), is a genre hybrid, as testified by the fact that on the filmpolski.pl website, the largest Polish website listing films, it is classified as a ‘musical film’, ‘film for children’ and ‘fantastical film’. I argue that its hybridity reflects the transitional period between state socialism and capitalism when the film was made and premiered. In my discussion I draw on the research on children’s films and the concept of heterotopia. I also engage with the economic history of Poland during the last stage of state socialist rule.