NEW ULM — The New Ulm Film Society will conclude its NASA film series with the 2013 “Gravity.”

Unlike previous films in the Film Society’s series, “Gravity” is not based on a true story. It is an original story, but with some of the same themes as previous NASA films.

The story follows astronauts Dr. Ryan Stone (Sandra Bullock) and Matt Kowalski (George Clooney) as they attempt to survive a series of disasters. A cloud of space debris has destroyed several satellites, knocking out communication equipment and destroying the return shipment back to Earth. Stone and Kowalski are forced to find alternative ways of reaching Earth, while avoiding the debris cloud that continually orbits the planet.

“Gravity” is a difficult film to classify. It is technically a science-fiction film, because the plot features scientific advances and phenomena that do not currently exist, but the story is not that far removed from the real world. Much of the technology shown in the film is real equipment used by NASA or other space agencies.

The disaster that kickstarts the plot — a cloud of space debris — is a real possibility called the Kessler syndrome. Space agencies have worried about it for decades.

The outer space setting is the main reason “Gravity” is labeled as science-fiction. However, critics have argued that “Gravity” has more in common with shipwreck survival stories than space adventures. It is a story of how people adapt to life-and-death situations.

The film’s director and co-writer Alfonso Cuarón described the film as a drama set in space. Cuarón said the story is about overcoming adversity.

The controversy over whether “Gravity” is a sci-fi film or a drama is one reason the film has faced extreme scrutiny from the scientific community. Multiple former astronauts, including Buzz Aldrin, praised the film’s visual effects for simulating zero gravity.

Cuarón has acknowledged the film is not perfectly scientifically accurate, as some changes were made to sustain the story. How the spacesuits were worn and removed was not accurate to current space suits but was changed to serve the plot.

The film received significant praise for its direction and cinematography. Before he started filming “Gravity,” Cuarón was already famous for using long unbroken shots in his film. He continued this approach at the start of the movie. “Gravity” begins with an over 12-minute continuous shot. Long continuous shots are rare in film because they are difficult to achieve. The camera operator and actors need to hit their mark perfectly. In a special effects-heavy film, it is an even greater challenge, but through digital editing, Cuarón was able to pull off the impossible.

“Gravity” was a major financial and critical success on its initial release. At the time it was the highest-grossing film of both Bullock and Clooney’s careers. The film was not only successful in the United States, but it also performed well overseas, in part due to the universality of the story.

“Gravity” received 10 Oscar nominations and won for Best Director, Best Cinematography, Best Visual Effects, Best Editing, Best Score, Best Sound Editing and Best Sound Mixing.

The success of “Gravity” likely inspired a new interest in science-based spaced films. Two years after “Gravity” was released, “The Martian” saw similar success with audiences.

The New Ulm Film Society will start the screening at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 12, in the public library basement. Film Society members will provide additional information on the movie before and after the screening.