Dystopian And Utopian Elements Film Studies Essay

Dystopian And Utopian Elements Film Studies Essay With close reference to no more than three postmodern films discuss the dystopian and utopian elements evident in their mise-en-scene. This essay will analyze Ridly Scotts Blade Runner (1982) and Alfonso Cuarons Children of Men (2006) in order to discuss dystopian elements evident in their mise-en-scene. The film begins with a panoramic view of the directors vision of Los Angeles in 2019. The night sky of the cityscape is lit an unnatural reddish hue and broken up by towering black skyscrapers and chimneys out of which sheets of flame erupt. This shot has the effect of immediately setting the scene for a post apocalyptic dystopia with the city being portrayed as demonic in the judeao- Christian tradition. At street level the sense of alienation the protagonist, Deckard, feels is reflected in the ethnic mix of his fellow Los Angelians. Hordes of Orientals throng about him. This sense of cultural alienation is compounded by witnessing Deckard struggling to order food from an oriental s treet vendor who struggles to understand what he is saying. The following scene further affirms this when a police officer arrests Deckard in order to bring him in for an assignment. The officer cant even arrest Deckard in English and the proprietor of the noodle stand has to translate for him. Another way in which the mise-en-scene conveys themes of dystopia in this sequence can be observed in the attire worn by the people in the street around Deckard. An eclectic mix of mismatched, castoff and recycled clothing is evident which seems somewhat contradictory when one considers this is also a society where space travel is normal and there is an abundance of flying cars. Continuing on this theme, the streets of Los Angeles are presented as being thoroughly dank, dirty and are perpetually strewn with refuse. Technologically advanced society where the common people still live in dirty, squalid conditions is a common trope of dystopian SF. Its function is to interrogate contemporary anxi eties regarding late capitalism and its effect on society. The mise-en-scene effectively conveys to the viewer this anxiety surrounding late capitalism and its dystopian undertones in a number of ways. The first and most symbolic way is through the opening shots of the Tyrell Corporation building: a gleaming glass and concrete pyramid reaching so far above street level as to be lit by natural sunlight: everything and everywhere else is dark and wet. Tyrell, Batty ironically observes, is the God of bio-mechanics and bio-mechanics is the citys ruling technology. Andrew Milner This immediately has the effect of emphasising the fact that it is corporate power that has shaped and moulded this apocalyptic vision of Los Angeles. Further examples of mise-en-scene which convey dystopian anxieties pertaining to late capitalism can be found in the repeated shots of enormous neon billboards which advertise various commodities, notably Coca-Cola, the product that perhaps best sums up the multinational corporate power of late capitalism. Additionally, a huge metal airship circles the city. Studded with searchlights, emblazoned with adverts and bellowing advertisements out of loud speakers it appears several times throughout the film. It could be argued that there is something inherently dystopian about such an imposing and intrusive contraption, especially during one scene where it shines its searchlights on Pris and Sebastian through the holes in the roof. Alfonso Cuarons vision of an infertile Britain in 2027 also makes effective use of mise-en-scene to convey dystopian themes. Unlike the corporation dominated future of Blade Runner, the society in which the protagonists inhabit in Children of Men is dystopian in part due to a fascistic, totalitarian British government that controls its subjects through fear and oppression. The sequence when Theo catches the train home from work (3:55) contains several elements of mise-en-scene that convey these dystopian themes. It is apparent that the Government broadcasts propaganda on public transport, in this instance its function being to warn the population about the insidious menace of illegal immigrants: Hes my dentist, shes my housekeeper, hes my cousin, they are illegal immigrants. Hiring, feeding or sheltering illegal immigrants is a crime. This is followed by a reminder to citizens that whilst the rest of the world has apparently collapsed, Only Britain soldiers on. This is command and co ntrol through fear in a classically Orwellian sense of the idea. These recordings bare a strikingly similar resemblance to the ubiquitous propaganda spouting telescreeens of 1984. Further aspects of mise-en-scene with dystopian undertones can also be identified in this scene. The train has metal grills protecting its windows, an ominous signifier of the level of crime in this society. They are quickly proven to be necessary when large group of adolescents pelt the train with rocks as it goes past. Graffiti is also used as a frequent reminder both of the level of antisocial behaviour and also the despair and nihilism that is felt in this society. Daubed on a billboard behind the group of youths is a slogan that reads Last one to die, turn out the lights. After alighting at the station, Theo walks past several armed soldiers and cages full of wailing immigrants. These cages are a sad sign of how this society has become utterly desensitized to human suffering, it is apparent that nobod y pays the people inside them the slightest bit of attention as they walk past. Throughout the film it is evident that although the narrative takes place 21 years after the films release, the technology of this future world has not improved in any significant way. This helps to convey the general trend of atrophy and stagnation that is an important theme in Children of Men. Throughout the narrative there are numerous instances where the mise-en-scene reflects this trend. For example, unlike Blade Runners rather optimistic portrayal of flying cars in 2019, British cars in 2021 appear pretty much identical to contemporary cars. If anything, they actually appear inferior, embodying perhaps a natural culmination of the modern trend for plastic, ugly Japanese manufactured cars that exist today. In certain instances it is apparent that technology has actually regressed. This is evident in the opening sequence where motorized rickshaws can be observed travelling down a street in London. In a further example of how the pace of technological advancement has in effect hal ted, the army and Homeland Security forces appear to use only contemporary weapons and hardware. It appears there have been no improvements in arms technology at all in the 21 years since the films release. For example, in the scene where Theo walks past the cages of immigrants at the tube station, the guards are armed with XM8 assault rifles weapons that were designed for the United States military in the nineties. The only minor exception to this lack of technological advancement can be found in the final battle sequence. Several soldiers in this sequence appear to be wearing some kind of HUD eyepiece device on their helmets, although this technology has been under development for some years and is not in itself particularly revolutionary. The governments control through fear and intimidation is evident in many of the scenes set in London and later in the Bexhill refugee camp. Again returning to the scene where Theo alights from the train, after walking past the cages he passes an army checkpoint complete with sniffer dogs and vehicle mounted heavy machine guns. This is reminiscent of Britain during the height of the terror alerts when Scimitar tanks and road blocks were deployed to defend airports against the threat of suicide bombers. In this sequence the fact that none of the public appears troubled by the sight of all this hardware arrayed against them is a further indication of just how routine this state of alert has become to the British people in 2021. A further example of this theme can be found in the sequence at 11:20 where Theo walks past a tower block that is being raided by security forces. The mise-en-scene in this sequence is inherently dystopian. A line of imposing riot police officers armed with trunc heons and shields denies access to the public whilst the black-suited Homeland Security forces menace the huddled occupants of the tower with assault rifles before throwing them into cages. It has already been mentioned that part of the reason for the dystopian nature of Children of Mens society is down to the totalitarian government. The mise-en-scene pertaining to the apparatus of their rule reflects this. For example, the faceless, abusive black suited government officials which appear throughout the film are a common motif in dystopian fiction. Also the vehicles the Homeland Security forces use are intimidating and authoritarian. For example, the vehicle that Sid the immigration official drives is a black, heavily armoured 44. It is also kitted out with what appears to be a remote-controlled Gatling gun mounted on the roof which swivels to track Theo as he emerges from the derelict school. All the government vehicles also appear to be equipped with loud-speakers which their occupants use to shout at the civilian population. This serves to further highlight the level of state oppression. The most powerful themes of dystopian governmental oppression are evident in the mise-en-scene during the Bexhill processing sequence. The protagonists are forced aboard a Homeland Security bus and driven past a heavy military presence outside the camps entrance. The camera angle changes to a first person perspective inside the bus looking out of one of the wire mesh covered windows. Somehow the view outside of two black Chinook helicopters flying in the opposite direction over a bleak moor manages to convey the sheer sense of hopelessness and futility of the protagonists situation and appears at the same time uniquely dystopian in nature. The mise-en-scene in the following sequence is perhaps the most useful to analyze in order to identify dystopian themes. The bus stops at a check point and search lights pierce the darkness and illuminate the busses occupants. A soldier with a large dog on a chain boards the bus and drags people off more or less at random if he doesnt like the look of them. From the activity that is visible outside it is easy to deduce that a nybody taken off the bus will be systematically stripped, beaten and shot. This scene seems to be constructed to be reminiscent of the way that Jews were treated upon entering similar camps in World War 2. A Nazi commandant would often stand at the entrance and Jews that he deemed that fit for labour would be sent off to the right whilst the once that werent would be sent off to the left and summarily shot. The Homeland Security soldiers in this scene behave in a similar fashion. The guard departs from the bus with the final remark You people fucking disgust me, uttered in such a way that there can be no doubt about their new status as beings that are less than human. A quote by Slavoj Zizek sums this scene up: And is it not that, in a strictly homologous way, the liberal warriors are so eager to fight the anti-democratic fundamentalism that they will end by flinging away freedom and democracy themselves if only they may fight terror? This is an apt quote, especially when one considers the hooded detainees in cages outside the bus which appear chillingly reminiscent of our contemporary equivalent, Guantanamo Bay, and the politics of fear that surround the Wests War on Terror. Word Count: 1928

Critical Analysis Essay Essay

This section contains a summary of the article â€Å"What Cost Chris Dussold His Dream Job?† In his introduction, Bartlett explains how Mr.Dussold was a professor at Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville and was fired for â€Å"copying another professor’s teaching statement.† But further explains that Mr.Dussold says â€Å"that was not the real reason he was fired† and that â€Å"Now Mr.Dussold is on a crusade to restore his reputation†¦Ã¢â‚¬  he goes on to explain how Mr.Dussold lands the dream job he wanted which was going smoothly until one day when a rumor started. Mr.Dussold tries many ways to make the rumor stop happening and assure everyone it is not true. Bartlett tells you about how the university does investigations on the rumor and what Mr.Dussold does to try and clear his name. Describing later on how the investigation ended and explain why Dussold ends up suing the college for false termination. Arguments See more: how to write a critical analysis outline The main purpose of this article written by Bartlett is to help prove the innocence of Mr.Dussold and give the side of Dussold’s story behind the rumor made against him. Trying to make an ethical argument Bartlett tells how Dussold’s reputation is put into question. According to the article Bartlett describes how Dussold had gone to Southern Illinois as a student and had offers from other colleges to work there but took the job at SIUE because â€Å"It felt like coming home.† In fact he said â€Å"‘I used to tell them I would take this job for nothing,’† and how many of his students and colleagues enjoyed working with him. Dussold tried to steer clear of arguments with others and then out of nowhere a rumor is started the ruins his character as a teacher. Bartlett also elucidates that Dussold whole life started changing after this rumor had been started. The author states that Dussold who was once an outgoing professor but once the rumor started, allegations were made about  him which led him to start questioning everyone and everything around him â€Å"Every interaction now carried a question mark: Who believes the rumor?†¦Were there more?† Each day these questions were rattling around in his head, not knowing the answer to any of them. Eventually he starts going into his own shell trying to not cause any more problems in his life â€Å"The once-outgoing professor started keeping to himself.† The rumors started making Dussold stressed showing us an emotional argument. Author Style Bartlett starts out describing how Dussold has told this story many times, saying how he was fired, how he was escorted and how he felt hopeless. â€Å"But even after two years and numerous retellings, the emotion still sneaks up on him.† But does not give the full story away making you curious and wanting to read more. He also goes on to mention that he was fired for â€Å"plagiarism† but he felt that, that was not the true reason. Dussold believes the reason is because a rumor that had start but was not true, and vouched to clear his name. â€Å"No matter what you think of Mr. Dussold†¦you can’t dent his zeal: He is a man on a mission.† Though Bartlett tells you this information he still leaves out the main details like what the rumor is or how Mr. Dussold is going to prove his side of the story making this an intriguing contradiction. Bartlett writes this story in order of the events that had happened besides his brief explanation in the introduction. In the first passage of this article Bartlett explains how Dussold used to be a student at SIUE and was ecstatic when he was offered a job there â€Å"’I used to tell them I’d take this job for nothing,’† going on to say how he and his colleagues as well as his students were getting along well and his life was going good. Later on you find out about how Dussold’s life has been turned upside down due to a rumor starting accusing him of having sexual activities with a student that was in one of his after school clubs, †Every interaction now carried a question mark,†. Eventually you learn that Dussold get the dean involved who does his own investigation and later on fires but not for the rumor, but because of plagiarism of another professors work. Dussold turns back around after getting fired and sues them because he believes he was truly fired because of the rumor, and how he now has a new job and a college not far from SIUE, â€Å"He remains convinced that it was the rumor-and the fear that he  would sue-that led to his firing. And he believes he can prove that in court.† Response This story was unconvincing due to the fact that Bartlett says Dussold claims to be fired because the rumor was started. Then Bartlett just explains everything surrounding the rumor and never exaggerates on the actual reason he got fired, which was plagiarism. It is also unbelievable since it says Ms. Peyla, the student from the rumor, decided at one point to just go on with the rumor and report that it was true. Not many people would willingly just agree with a rumor that is potentially life ruining if it were not true. This article could have been more convincing if other professors or students had been included in the story. This would have helped because the more witnesses the more proof of what really happened and that usually would help in deciding if a person is guilty or not judging from an article about their situation.

My Car

When I look at my car all I can think about is the future for it and how glorious it will look when I am finished. I drive a carbon steel grey 2013 Volkswagen GET and I love it. Currently I only have a couple of modifications done to it but I have a list of plans for the future, for when I get the money. On my list of modifications, current and future, I can divide the modifications into three main categories; engine power, cosmetic appearance, and handling.Some of the modifications may be in for than one category but all of the modifications lead to my car looking, sounding, and feeling tremendous. Engine power was the first thing I started to work on when I first got my car. First I went too tuning shop and had Leo, the owner of the shop, install an PAR stage 1 refresh which took the car from pH to about pH. That modification really woke the car up making it a little faster and a lot more fun to drive.The next power modification I did was a cat-back exhaust which claimed to give th e car 15 ore horse power but I did not feel any difference. The cat-back exhaust only made the car louder and gave the car a more aggressive look from the back. After the cat- back exhaust I installed an air intake which make the car more fuel efficient, gave it about 5 extra horsepower, and allowed the car to have an awesome blow off sound. The final power modification I have done so far was putting on a three inch downside and a stages refresh which took the car from about pH to about pH.My power edification I hope to get in the future are an intake manifold, larger fuel injectors, Audit re coil packs, a key turbo kit from PAR, and a larger intercooler. For cosmetic appearance I have not done too many things yet but the things I have done made the car look much better and gave it a little bit of my own personal style. The first thing I did for appearance was changing my head light and for light to HID light, this made the car look much more aggressive and gave me better visibility in the night.The next wing I did was tint the windows, I made them very dark in the back I believe it was a 5% tint. After that I painted my grill strips teal and added four teal stickers around the car. Two stickers are on the rear window and the other two are on my rear side windows. For cosmetic appearance that is all I have been able to do so far but I do plan to eventually get new headlights, new taillights, larger wheels, and the lower the car on coil oversee. Handling is the category where I have done very little to affect it.I eave only done two things to affect handling and those two things are lowering springs and new tires. The lowering spring affect handling because they lower the car center of gravity making the car not lean so much in the corners. The tires help handling by allowing the car to get more traction so it does not slide around as much and because the car have more traction it can take corners at a faster speed. I plan to eventually get coil oversee, strong er sway bars, and new wheels. All of those items will help the car handle much better.Looking at my car now makes me think of all the hard work I have put into it and how I look forward to doing a lot more work on it. Out of engine performance, cosmetic appearance, and handling I have done the most work on engine performance and the least work on improving handling. I hope in the next coming year I can save up enough money to do all of modifications I would like to do on my car and when I am finally finished my car will look, sound, and feel amazing. But, as every car person knows, a project car is never finished.

Islamic State And Boko Haram - 1664 Words

With the traumatic events that occurred on November 13th, 2015, many politicians and media hosts have responded by attacking the religion of Islam as well as the groups that perpetrated these events. Often referring to the beliefs held by groups—such as the Islamic State and Boko Haram—as a radical and medieval version of Islam, these individuals are not wrong in a sense, but rather they are failing to notice that no ancient religion is peaceful or nonviolent. It is true that the beliefs that are held by members of terrorist groups are archaic, but it isn’t because the culture and system of modern Islam is medieval in itself, but because the terrorists that are perpetrating these are attacks are modern fanatics of the olden days. If one were to look at another major religion’s history, such as Christianity, one would notice that there have been similar moments of religious fanaticism through acts such as the Crusades. Using â€Å"discourse† about the Middle Ages, contemporary writers are able to give an image of Islam that makes it seem inherently medieval, violent, and dark without realizing that other major religions have already done similar acts of violence. By referencing the Middle Ages alongside Islam, contemporary writers are able to create a stereotype of Islam being centered on medieval beliefs while ignoring the fact that every other religion and culture is also composed of archaic beliefs which can be seen through Ibn Fadlan. The only true difference is how theShow MoreRelatedBoko Haram Is The Elusive Master Mind Behind The Islamic State2063 Words   |  9 PagesThe group, Boko Haram, was created 14 years ago by Mohammed Yusuf (1970-2009) to create and pure Islamic state in Nigeria. With the development in technology over the last ten years the internet has become a freeway of information. This has created the perfect opportunity for terrorist groups to blossom and spread their messages to lands far away from their previous reach. Mohammed Yusuf Ideals were focused on making Nigeria a â€Å"pure Islamic State†. In 2009 police found and killed him which with mediaRead MoreBoko Haram Is The Most Powerful Group1468 Words   |  6 Pagesinto an arrangement of shocking terror unbridled by Boko Haram. Nigeria has always been at the heart of security threatening challenges, but Boko Haram is the most powerful group as of yet. Boko Haram has claimed responsibility for many bombings and other terrorist activities north and central Nigeria, thus placing Nigeria on the verge of dissolution. Till date, terror caused by Boko Hara has resulted in an estimate of about 10,000 deaths. Boko Haram, officially called Jama’tu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’AwatiRead MoreBoko Haram : A Islamic Organization1445 Words   |  6 Pages Boko Haram is a militant Islamic group based in northeastern Nigeria, but is also active in northern Cameroon, Chad, and Niger (â€Å"Boko Haram Fast Facts† 1). Their main purpose as an organization is to institute Sharia, which is known as Islamic law (â€Å"Boko Haram Fast Facts† 1). In the local Hausa dialect, one of the largest ethnic groups spoken in West Africa, Boko Haram means â€Å"Western education is forbidden† (â€Å"Boko Haram Fast Facts† 1). The group is also referred to as Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awatiRead MoreThe Violence Of Boko Haram1129 Words   |  5 Pagesand we don’t seem to notice. On April 14, nearly 300 Nigerian girls were abducted from their school. We cannot even imagine their darkest fears or the pain they are going through with the Boko Haram terrorists who took them. Boko Haram is a group of Nigerian terrorists ruled by a man named Abubakar. Boko Haram stands for â€Å"Western education is sinful†. But we can imagine how their parents and family are feeling. The abduction of these girls has led to many social media trends calling for their rescueRead MoreBoko Haram Is A Radical Sun ni Islamic Gathering1541 Words   |  7 PagesBoko Haram is a radical Sunni Islamic gathering, at first calling itself Jama atu Ahlis Sunnar Lidda awati Wal-Jihad, which thoroughly makes a translation of to people concentrated on the spread of the Prophet s teachings and jihad. The gathering is against Western philosophy. The pioneer of the gathering, Mohammed Yusuf, was a readied Salafist and follower of Ibn Taymiyya, a 14th century analyst who addressed Islamic fundamentalism. Boko Haram hopes to construct an Islamic state in Nigeria,Read MoreImpact Of Boko Haram On Economic And Social Activities900 Words   |  4 PagesOMONIYI YINUSA THE IMPACT OF BOKO HARAM INSURGENT ON ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL ACTIVITIES IN NIGERIA Boko Haram is an affiliated branch of the Islamic State (ISIS) of Iraq and the Levant. It has been performing its atrocities in Nigeria since 2009, during regime of Dr Good Luck (Past President). The name of the group means Western or non-Islamic education is a sin. The group is active in the northern part of Nigeria, and their primary objective is to impose Islamic law as the only law in Nigeria. TheRead More1.) Problem Statement: Boko Haram Has Become A Rapidly942 Words   |  4 Pages 1.) Problem Statement: Boko Haram has become a rapidly increasing threat to Northern Africa and the surrounding areas. There radical Islamic ideology has made them a serious threat to many North African nations who share similar ideologies, as well as a serious threat to the South African nations who are predominantly Christian. 2.) Background: Boko Haram is an Islamic terrorist organization that originated in Nigeria in 2002. Since the conception of Boko Haram, various attacks have been upheldRead MoreConflict : The Boko Haram Insurgency1701 Words   |  7 PagesConflict: The Boko Haram Insurgency Type of Conflict: Hot war. Origins Boko Haram is the nickname for the group officially known in Arabic as Jama atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda awati Wal-Jihad--the People Committed to the Propagation of the Prophet s Teachings and Jihad. Named by the Northern Nigerian Muslims and subsequently picked up by the press, the name Boko Haram translates to Western education is forbidden and is derived from the teachings of Mohammed Yusuf, the group s early leader, whoRead MoreA Brief Note On The Country Of Nigeria1584 Words   |  7 PagesThis has recently led to very violent acts of protest and the taking of thousands of innocent lives. These acts of terrorism by northern Nigerian Islam extremists are becoming much more frequent because of a rather newly created terrorist group, Boko Haram. The group is growing in power and most likely is not being shut down any time soon. There are many reasons for this, including many Nigerian citizens being in poverty, Nigeria’s corrupt government, and most crucial, religious conflict. NigeriaRead MoreBoko Haram : A Deadly Mission1625 Words   |  7 Pagesaccept differences and work together, but in extreme cases where the tensions are high things may get out of control. A current group who is on track for genocide, Boko Haram, looks to put a â€Å"ban on all things Western† (The Deadly Mission Of Boko Haram.). This is a terror group that will stop at nothing to get what it covets. Boko Haram operates in Nigeria, which is the most populated country in Africa. According to the article, â€Å"The Psychological Make-up of Mohammed Yusuf†, the group started in