Thursday, December 07, 2006
The New Atlantis
This short story by Ursula K. Le Guin portrays a totalitarian society that imposes the will of the strongest, as totalitarian societies tend to do. In this bleak world where humans are suffering the consequences of their total disregard for the environment people are not allowed to get married, start families. They live from coupons, no health care, no food, no energy. Belle lives in this world, a world deprived of humanity and finds solace and an escape route in music. Music is her sanctuary, the thing that allows her and others to feel, to get in touch with their humanity.
Sunday, December 03, 2006
Blade Runner
I have recently seen the movie Blade Runner by acclaimed director Ridley Scott. It shows a evolved but decadent society. They use bioengineered beings, called replicants, that are physically and intellectually superior to humans. These beings are used in off world colonies to do tasks that are more appropriate for their physical frame. The issue is that these beings developed emotions and became aware of their extremely short lifespan.
The influence of Metropolis is clearly seem in the visuals of the city and the class difference and struggle, only instead of humans fighting we have the replicants. The influence of Frankenstein is felt in the scene where Roy confronts and kills Tyrrel, his creator. (Chapter 26 on the DVD)
There are two questions raised in the movie that I found extremely interesting. First, the question of Rachael's memories. Implanted memories... What if all that we remember until this moment was not real, a memory implanted to make you who you are at this moment? This is also explored in the movie Dark City. The second question is the way one faces the misfortunes of life. Roy and the other Nexus 6 replicants fight their condition and spend all their last moments trying to find a way to change what seems unavoidable. Rachael and Decker, on the other hand, opt to enjoy and live all their remaining time to the fullest. I have to say I agree more with the latter.
Overall it was great to revisit this movie. Can't wait for the anniversary edition to come out on DVD.
The influence of Metropolis is clearly seem in the visuals of the city and the class difference and struggle, only instead of humans fighting we have the replicants. The influence of Frankenstein is felt in the scene where Roy confronts and kills Tyrrel, his creator. (Chapter 26 on the DVD)
There are two questions raised in the movie that I found extremely interesting. First, the question of Rachael's memories. Implanted memories... What if all that we remember until this moment was not real, a memory implanted to make you who you are at this moment? This is also explored in the movie Dark City. The second question is the way one faces the misfortunes of life. Roy and the other Nexus 6 replicants fight their condition and spend all their last moments trying to find a way to change what seems unavoidable. Rachael and Decker, on the other hand, opt to enjoy and live all their remaining time to the fullest. I have to say I agree more with the latter.
Overall it was great to revisit this movie. Can't wait for the anniversary edition to come out on DVD.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
