Dystopic Utopia
November 15th 2006 04:24
When Science Fiction looks to the future it tends to take one of two angles. That is either Utopia and Dystopia. Utopia, obviously is the more appealing as it suggests that the future might become some kind of paradise. The Star Trek series, in a sense is a good example of this. Human culture has developed in such a way that it is far more tolerant and peaceful. However, as with most Utopias it has its troubles. In the film, Aeon Flux, despite the fact that the majority of the human population has been wiped out the last remaining city appears to be a picture of paradise. With it's bright colours, and harmony-like atmosphere one would not suspect any sinister to be happening beneath the surface. But there is. People mysteriously disappear and a strange illness seems to have taken hold of the city. Secret agents, such as Aeon Flux work to bring these sinister events to a close. Eventually they discover that the entire population is not reproducing naturally, but rather being cloned in order to maintain human existence. What at first appears to be a Utopia turns out to be a Dystopia.
On the other hand there are also examples of a complete Dystopia. One of the best examples would be the film, Bladerunner. The futuristic world in this film is far from Utopic. The streets are dark, it rains and the world is full of sorrow. The holographic advertisements that sound in the streets are weak in suggesting that the world is a nice place to live in. The city has a grungy, Cyberpunk feel to it. However by the end of the film, when Deckard and his Cyborg girlfriend run away there is hope on the horizon. In the same way in the post-apocalyptic Obernewtyn Chronicles in which the world has been reduced back to primitive ways, hope for a better future is apparent in Elpeth's quest to destroy the past-time machines. It seems then, that when science fiction film approaches a Utopia, it is really a Dystopia and when it approaches Dystopia hope is always feasible. What does this mean? That we should be happy with hope rather than expect paradise for earth.
On the other hand there are also examples of a complete Dystopia. One of the best examples would be the film, Bladerunner. The futuristic world in this film is far from Utopic. The streets are dark, it rains and the world is full of sorrow. The holographic advertisements that sound in the streets are weak in suggesting that the world is a nice place to live in. The city has a grungy, Cyberpunk feel to it. However by the end of the film, when Deckard and his Cyborg girlfriend run away there is hope on the horizon. In the same way in the post-apocalyptic Obernewtyn Chronicles in which the world has been reduced back to primitive ways, hope for a better future is apparent in Elpeth's quest to destroy the past-time machines. It seems then, that when science fiction film approaches a Utopia, it is really a Dystopia and when it approaches Dystopia hope is always feasible. What does this mean? That we should be happy with hope rather than expect paradise for earth.
| 100 |
| Vote |
Shared on
Subscribe to this blog
Comment by Lilla
Enviro Warrior
An Extra Ordinary Life
Dream Herald
just to leave my paw print and let you know that I enjoyed this post... it is interesting becuase I have noticed more dystopia creeping into mainstream sci-fi lately (or 'Skiffy' as my Mum calls it *lol)... for instance the Matrix trilogy and the X-men both have utopic parts within a dystopic reality in both of parts I and II respectively... then both end with a dystopic part III were central characters die... V for Vandetta followed this suit too... it's interesting to note the change in style from Star Trek Utopia's...and I wonder if a new trend isn't being born as the environment around us begins to crumble in a reality that has become uncertain also....(?)
look forward to more of your writing
Lilla...