Alone in a Desperate Situation, Yet Matt Damon Shines with Optimism and Strength

The 73rd Golden Globe Awards were presented on January 10, 2016 (local time). 'The Martian' took home the awards for Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy and Best Actor – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy (Matt Damon). The film is based on the online novel 'The Martian' by Andy Weir, who was an unknown author at the time. Captivating everyone from Hollywood producers to NASA scientists, the story is filled with a thrilling, almost non-fictional realism, yet remains thoroughly enjoyable.

The story unfolds on Mars, 225.3 million kilometers from Earth. It begins when Mark Watney (Matt Damon), one of the six crew members on a Mars exploration mission, is presumed dead after being swept away by a Martian storm and left behind despite a desperate search.

Miraculously surviving, Watney uses his botanical knowledge within the habitat (an artificial living facility) to cultivate water, oxygen, and food. The only thing keeping him tethered to sanity amidst the profound loneliness of his survival is the mismatched disco music left behind by Commander Melissa Lewis (Jessica Chastain). The film portrays his struggle to overcome one seemingly impossible situation after another—no oxygen, no water—with a light, unburdened touch. At 78, director Ridley Scott has crafted a work that feels remarkably fresh, both visually and narratively.



Beyond the realism, a key element is how the crew on Earth at NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) works together to devise a plan for his escape. We encourage you to experience the exhilarating feeling of overcoming adversity alongside Mark Watney in theaters.