Join the Lisboa Sci-Fi Society for a deep dive into a cornerstone of cyberpunk cinema! We're screening the original 1995 masterpiece, Ghost in the Shell, followed by a lively discussion.
Are you fascinated by the future, artificial intelligence, and the very definition of consciousness? Whether you're a long-time anime aficionado or new to the world of cyberpunk, this event is for you. We'll watch Mamoru Oshii's visually stunning and philosophically profound film and then explore its lingering questions together.
About the Film: Ghost in the Shell (1995)
In the year 2029, the world has become interconnected by a vast electronic network that permeates every aspect of life. But the tide of technology has also given rise to a new form of crime where cyber-terrorists can "ghost hack"—taking full control of the human body.
Our story follows Major Motoko Kusanagi, an augmented-cybernetic agent for the elite security force Section 9. As she hunts a mysterious and powerful hacker known as the Puppet Master, she is drawn into a complex web of political intrigue and philosophical quandaries that force her to question her own identity. What is a "ghost" or soul, and where does it reside in a world where the body, or "shell," is artificial?
Post-Screening Discussion
After the credits roll, we'll open the floor for a friendly and engaging discussion. Come share your thoughts and hear new perspectives on the film's dense themes. To get you thinking, here are some of the questions we'll explore:
- The Nature of the Major: What is Motoko Kusanagi? Is she a human with a prosthetic body, a cyborg with a human brain, or a new form of post-human consciousness entirely? Where does her humanity truly lie?
- The Merger Proposal: The Puppet Master proposes a "merger" with Major Kusanagi. Is this a symbiotic evolution, a romantic union, or a hostile takeover of her identity? What do you think she should have done?
- Connections in the GITS Universe: For fans of the wider franchise, how does the proposed union between Motoko and the Puppet Master in the 1995 film compare to her relationship with Hideo Kuze in the Stand Alone Complex series?
- Personal Resonance: What makes Ghost in the Shell resonate with you personally? Which of its themes—identity, memory, technological integration, corporate power—feels most relevant in 2025?
- Exploring Similar Worlds: Beyond GITS, what other science fiction films, anime, or books (e.g., Blade Runner, The Matrix, Westworld) do you feel tackle similar profound questions about consciousness and what it means to be human?
Who Should Attend?
This meetup is perfect for fans of science fiction, anime, cyberpunk, philosophy, and technology. If you love thought-provoking cinema and great conversation, we can't wait to meet you.
Join us as we plug in and explore the ghost in the machine!
Tags/Keywords:
Lisbon Events, Sci-Fi Meetup, Anime Screening Lisbon, Ghost in the Shell, Cyberpunk, Movie Night Lisbon, Mamoru Oshii, Science Fiction, Philosophy Discussion, AI, Artificial Intelligence, Motoko Kusanagi, Things to do in Lisbon
Event is free. 10 persons for ability to keep a deep dive discussion. Please, join the waiting list
