I've always been drawn to dystopian stories. Be it in books, films or something else, the idea of reflecting the flaws or future pitfalls of today's society in an exagerated future context has always interested, intrigued, challenged and frightened me. Classics like Brave New World and Nineteen Eighty Four have proved earily accurate in predicting some of the ways Western civilisation will develop. Where is the art, where are the storytellers of today who will prove to be the prophets for future generations? I wonder...
2013 sees two films released that offer very different, but compelling visions of a dystopian future. Issues of class, oppression and the distribution of wealth are explored within stories of rebellion. First up - Elysium directed by Neill Blomkamp...
I love the look of this! Earth is definitely reminiscent of the chaos, poverty and injustice of his previous film District 9. The concept is not entirely new but with such visual flair and with a cast including Mat Damon, Sharlto Copley and Jodie Foster it's worth sitting up and taking note. I eagerly anticipate a foray into 2154...
Second, The Hunger Games: Catching Fire teaser. Catniss, Peeta and Haymitch return in the Empire Strikes Back of the trilogy. One of the darkest books, they seem to have captured the tension of the story well. Take a look...
Read the books? What do you think?