Stargate (1994) & The Fountain (2006): Cosmic Gateways & Timeless Journeys | EP09
- Apr 23, 2020
- 3 min read
Updated: Mar 9
Travelling Through Space and Time
In this episode of Journey Through Sci-Fi, we continue our exploration of the space subgenre by looking at two films that imagine travelling far beyond Earth — not just through space, but through time, memory and human experience.
First we discuss Stargate (1994), Roland Emmerich’s sci-fi adventure about the discovery of an ancient alien device that allows instantaneous travel to distant planets. The mysterious “Stargate” functions as a wormhole connecting Earth to another world.
Then we explore The Fountain (2006), Darren Aronofsky’s visually ambitious film that blends space travel, historical narrative and philosophical themes about love, mortality and the nature of existence.
Together these films show two very different ways science fiction explores journeys beyond our world — one through technology and interstellar travel, the other through spiritual and cosmic storytelling.
Because here on Journey Through Sci-Fi, we explore the history of science-fiction cinema one subgenre at a time.
Listen to the full episode below:
What We Discuss In This Episode
In this episode we talk about:
• How Stargate imagines ancient alien technology enabling interstellar travel
• The idea of wormholes and gateways in science fiction
• Darren Aronofsky’s ambitious storytelling in The Fountain
• How science fiction explores life, death and cosmic existence
• Why journeys through space often become journeys through time and consciousness
Stargate (1994) – Gateways to Other Worlds
Directed by Roland Emmerich, Stargate begins with the discovery of a mysterious ancient device buried in Egypt.
When scientists finally decode the symbols surrounding the ring-shaped structure, they realise it is actually a portal capable of opening a wormhole to another planet.
A military expedition travels through the gate and discovers a distant world populated by humans who have been enslaved by a powerful alien being posing as an Egyptian god.
The film combines adventure, ancient mythology and science fiction — and went on to launch one of the most successful sci-fi television franchises ever made.
The Fountain (2006) – A Cosmic Journey Through Time
Released in 2006, The Fountain takes a much more philosophical approach to science fiction.
Directed by Darren Aronofsky, the film weaves together three different timelines — a 16th-century conquistador searching for the Tree of Life, a present-day scientist trying to cure his dying wife, and a future astronaut travelling through space with a mysterious cosmic tree.
Rather than focusing on scientific realism, the film explores themes of love, mortality and humanity’s search for meaning.
It’s one of the most unusual space films in the genre — using cosmic imagery and science-fiction ideas to explore deeply emotional questions.
Journeys Beyond Space
Together, Stargate and The Fountain represent two very different visions of travelling beyond our world.
One imagines technological gateways connecting distant planets across the galaxy.
The other explores a more spiritual journey through time, memory and cosmic existence.
Both show how science fiction uses space not just as a setting for adventure — but as a way of exploring humanity’s biggest questions.
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About Journey Through Sci-Fi
Journey Through Sci-Fi is a podcast exploring the strange, visionary and world-changing history of science-fiction cinema.
Each series focuses on a different sci-fi subgenre, examining the films and ideas that shaped the genre - from classic cinema to modern science-fiction storytelling
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