La Circulaire - No 46 - 1995 Aout

Magazine Overview

This issue of LA CIRCULAIRE, dated August 1995, is a bulletin synthesizing ufological information from various domains. It covers a wide range of topics including UFO sightings, media reports, television program reviews, book analyses, and discussions on scientific and pseudoscientific approaches to the phenomena.

Key Articles and Reports

Bariloche UFO Incident

The lead story details a significant UFO sighting over San Carlos de Bariloche, Argentina, on July 31, 1995. A white flying saucer reportedly disrupted air traffic for fifteen minutes, causing a near-crash. The pilot, Jorge Polanco, described the object as changing color and moving at supernatural speeds. The incident coincided with a city-wide power outage, and airport measurement equipment reportedly went "crazy." Several media outlets, including France-Soir and La Montagne, are cited for their coverage, with La Montagne featuring an interview with pilot J. Polanco and discussing the SEPRA's role, frequent confusions with discotheque projectors, and the seriousness with which the Argentine case was treated, drawing parallels with incidents in Tehran and Luxeuil.

Media Reviews

A substantial portion of the issue is dedicated to reviewing media coverage of UFOs and related topics. This includes:

• Television Programs: Numerous TV broadcasts are noted, such as TF1's "L'Odyssée de l'étrange" (formerly "le troisième œil"), presented by J. Pradel, which featured segments on the Roswell autopsy film, interviews with Dr. J. Marcel, and historical accounts. Other programs reviewed include "Ushuaïa" on TF1, "Fanzine" on M6, and various documentaries and fictional series on channels like Canal J, La 5e, F2, and Arte that touched upon themes of aliens, space, and mystery.
• Magazine Articles: Articles from publications like "le nouveau Détective," "Téléstar," "France-Dimanche," "Sciences et Avenir," "Science et Vie," "Ici Paris Magazine," and "L'Officiel des Spectacles" are summarized. These articles cover a range of subjects, from pilot testimonies and extraterrestrial encounters to the scientific study of phenomena and the analysis of UFO-related films and books.
• Films and Documentaries: Several films and documentaries are mentioned, including "Body Snatchers," "Starfighter," "E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial," "Alien," and "The X-Files" (referenced through "Aux frontières du Réel"). The issue notes the release of films like "Les Maîtres du Monde" and "The Puppet Masters," which deal with alien invasion and government conspiracies.

Specific Topics and Cases

• Roswell Incident: The Roswell incident and the controversial autopsy film are frequently referenced, with analyses of J. Pradel's presentation and related media coverage.
• Ufology and Science: The issue touches upon the relationship between ufology and mainstream science, citing articles in "Sciences et Avenir" that discuss "parasciences" and the challenges of integrating UFO phenomena into scientific discourse. The role of organizations like GEPAN and SEPRA is also mentioned.
• Alien Abductions: The theme of alien abductions is explored through reviews of books like Stephen King's "Insomnie" and D.R. Koontz's "Lune froide," which describe encounters with extraterrestrials and the psychological impact on abductees.
• UFOs in Popular Culture: The influence of UFOs and extraterrestrials on popular culture is evident in the reviews of films, TV shows, and even advertisements, such as Darty's commercials featuring flying saucers.
• Technological Aspects: The issue briefly mentions technological advancements and their potential connection to UFOs, such as the B2 stealth bomber and the concept of dirigibles.

Other Information

• Contact Information: The administrative telephone line for SOS OVNI has changed.
• Book Reviews: Several books are reviewed, including those by J. Guieu, D.M. Jacobs, and Stephen King, as well as publications on ufology and paranormal topics.
• Humor and Satire: Some entries note humorous or satirical takes on UFOs and aliens in media, such as a sketch on France Inter and cartoons.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the pervasive media coverage of UFOs and extraterrestrial phenomena across television, film, and print, and the ongoing debate between scientific and skeptical viewpoints versus belief in these phenomena. The editorial stance appears to be one of comprehensive documentation and analysis of these diverse reports and discussions, presenting information from various sources without necessarily endorsing any single viewpoint. There is a clear focus on cataloging media mentions, which suggests an effort to track the public and media discourse surrounding ufology during this period. The inclusion of detailed citations for each piece of media reviewed indicates a methodical approach to archival and information dissemination.