Transcript

Narratives become dystopian or negative, downbeat. Often the "bad" guys win or everyone

dies. Often these texts suggest a lack of hope in the future.

LO:

To learn about Dystopian Narratives in film/ programmes as a sign of postmodernity.

A fictional place where everything is unpleasant and has dire consequences, a totalitarian state or a degraded environment- an unfavorable society. The opposite to utopia, where everything is positive and pleasant.

Unfavorable society Often set in a harsh

futureUnpleasant

environmentA totalitarian

(dictatorship) government

Society is the antagonist, working against the main protagonist

Human oppression loss of civil rightssurveillance

Divergent

(dir. Neil Burger 2014)

Tris Prior (Shailene Woodley) lives in a futuristic world in which society is divided into five factions. As each person enters adulthood, he or she must choose a faction and commit to it for life. Tris chooses Dauntless -- those who pursue bravery above all else. However, her initiation leads to the discovery that she is a Divergent and will never be able to fit into just one faction. Warned that she must conceal her status, Tris uncovers a looming war which threatens everyone she loves.

http://time.com/32022/divergent-dystopian-stories-shailene-woodley-interview/

The Hunger Games (dir. Francis Lawrence 2014)

In what was once North America, the Capitol of Panem maintains its hold on its 12 districts by forcing them each to select a boy and a girl, called Tributes, to compete in a nationally televised event called the Hunger Games. Every citizen must watch as the youths fight to the death until only one remains.

After arriving safely home from their unprecedented victory in the 74th Annual Hunger Games, Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) and Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson) discover that they must do a quick turnaround and begin a Victors Tour. As she and Peeta travel throughout the districts, Katniss senses a rebellion is stirring. However, President Snow (Donald Sutherland) proves that he is still very much in control when word comes of a cruel change in the rules for the upcoming 75th Hunger Games.

http://www.netflix.com/search/the%20hunger%20games

The Purge (dir. James DeMonaco 2013)

In an America ravaged by crime and overcrowded prisons, the government sanctions an annual 12-hour period during which all criminal activity -- including murder -- is legal. James Sandin (Ethan Hawke) and his family face the ultimate test when an intruder drags the vicious outside world into their home. James, Mary (Lena Headey) and their two children struggle to survive the night while trying not to turn into monsters like the ones they are striving to avoid.

Totall Recall (dir.  Len Wiseman 2012)

In need of a vacation from his ordinary life, factory worker Douglas Quaid (Colin Farrell) visits Rekall, a company that can turn dreams into real memories. Thinking that memories of life as a superspy are just the ticket, Quaid undergoes the procedure -- but it goes horribly wrong. Suddenly, Quaid is a hunted man. He teams up with a rebel fighter (Jessica Biel) on a search to find the head of the underground resistance and take down the leader (Bryan Cranston) of the free world.

Divergent https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sutgWjz10sM

The Purge https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K0LLaybEuzA

Black Mirror http://www.channel4.com/programmes/black-

mirror/ http://www.channel4.com/programmes/black-

mirror/on-demand Dr Who In some stories the technical, social or political

forces that bind a dystopia on a planet are a central theme - and sometimes is a parody of contemporary situations.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p02ct985

Exam Section B: Postmodernism- Dystopian Narratives

Watch at least TWO dystopian films/programmes. Write a 350 report about why these films can be seen as a sign of postmodernism? Dystopian Narrative Artificial


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