Themes in Blade Runner

The thematic complexity of Blade Runner is hard to ignore, and Ridley Scott does very well in incorporating different themes as social criticism and warning of a corporatist driven future. As with most dystopian science fiction films and novels we have seen, there is a large degree of dehumanization of several human characters. In this instance, it is the artificially created "replicants" that are relegated to . At the same time, however, some religious symbolism is brought into play regarding the replicants, as they seem to symbolize fallen angels. As the other world colonies can be seen as ideal, and more heavenly than the hellish Earth presented within the film, and especially Roy who prefers to "reign in hell" (Earth) rather than "serve in heaven" (hell), Earth symbolizes a hellish future.

When Harrison Ford's character is seen pursuing a replicant in a strip club, he asks her if the snake she possesses is real, to which she replies it is artificially created as she cannot afford a real snake. This implies not only that nature has become a scarcity in this dystopian society, but also that artificial creations still do not hold the same weight as naturally created ones. This seems to be a driving thematic element of the film, as the emotions (or lack thereof) of the replicants are never considered in anyone's interaction with them, save Harrison Ford witnessing Roy's cathartic soliloquy at the end of the film and his interactions with his love interest. These couple instances, however, imply that artificial intelligence may not be accepted as equivalent to natural beings, but they may become indistinguishable.

The presence of heavy advertising in the film serves as a social commentary for 1980s society as one increasingly bombarded with billboards, television advertisements, and other forms of advertising. At the same time, several advertisements are shown throughout the film for other world colonies throughout space, . Besides reinforcing the idea that large corporations have used capitalism to subject society to a dystopian future, these colony advertisements mimic advertisements throughout Western history that promise . This could also be seen as a subset of the American Dream, and society's resilience to pursue it even if it requires them to travel abroad, in this case to another planet.

Direction- Brazil

A mix between 1984, a social criticism of 19th century industrializing Britain and commentary on 1980s society, Brazil provides an interesting satirical look at a dystopian future Britain. Most of the movie remained extremely cluttered with different lighting, objects, machines, and people. A sense of claustrophobia is instilled in the viewer, symbolizing overpopulation in this dystopian future. Throughout the movie, ideas and issues from the 1980s including fashion and elitism in upper classes are juxtaposed with ideas from Orwell's 1984. Constant explosions throughout the movie with the entry of a secret police continue the feelings of claustrophobia and lack of privacy in the movie, subjecting even the most modest of people to the seemingly whimsical plans of the Big Brother-esque government. The fact that a central power figure is never presented, however, contributes to the satire of the film, likely reflecting a disdain for increasing levels of bureaucracy emerging from increasing populations throughout the 20^th century.

Much of what makes this movie satirical involves the abundance of 1980's British society within the movie. Much attention is given to British high street fashion that the upper echelon of society dons, lambasting outward appearance over inner personality’s contribution towards society. Plastic surgery and human transformation as a motif throughout the movie serves to lament humanity’s striving towards a superficial existence, and only the relationship between the main character and the girl from his dreams provide substance beyond the surface. Although the main character's mother was able to successfully transform herself through plastic surgery, many of the other characters are shown to over-utilize technology to change their image to the point where it makes them uglier and more ridiculous. These are quite different than the view of the love interest, as her appearance remains modest, yet moderately beautiful, indicating a greater inner beauty than most of the rest of the characters of the movie.

Modern Times- Photography Analysis

There are several instances within the movie where the photography and camera angle contribute to the underlying thematic elements of the pursuit of the American Dream and the lack of social mobility in industrialized America:


-The beginning of the film features the camera angle first from above a herd of sheep, then above a crowd of working class Americans heading to work, in attempt to dehumanize them. The pace at which they move seems like clockwork, and a later scene showcasing them under machinery and subservient to the factory indicates their lower social status than even inert objects in the eyes of the upper classes.

-Even in a black and white movie, the factory lacks contrast indicating a dirty and run down environment and adding to the monotony of an industrialized work day.

-In several city scenes, camera angles are tilted and coupled with clashing music to indicate the frantic nature of city life particularly for the working class and their lack of time for proper leisure

-A couple scenes clearly showcase the middle and upper classes stronghold over the working class in regards to Chaplin's girlfriend(?), the first one being where the policemen are interrogating her at her home and sitting at her table where her father set, and also where she is seen stealing a loaf of bread she is tattered and on the ground with everyone standing around her, both indicating her inability to control her own future, rather leaving it in the hands of authorities devoid of emotion or sympathy towards her.

-I think the best example of photography in this movie involves the scene where Chaplin and his girl are seen escaping society and walking down a lonely road in front of a house with a yard overgrown with weeds. After sitting down in the barren yard with a background of barren trees, Chaplin is still able to cut to a dream sequence in which they imagine themselves in their own home, realizing the American dream. The fact that this cutscene is cut short by a cop standing over them symbolizes society's unwillingness to not only let them realize the American dream, but to not even imagine reaching it. The police officer standing over them telling them to move along indicates his higher social standing in society, and their inability to find their own niche that will lead to happiness. However, their ability to still hope for a better future despite all this indicates there still is a resilience within the poor American population to work towards one.