THE DYSTOPIA GENRE

THEMES OF THE DYSTOPIA GENRE Dystopian worlds: an imagined place or state in which everything is unpleasant or bad, typically a totalitarian or environmentally degraded one. The opposite of Utopia. Narratives take place in the aftermath of a disaster Most post-apocalyptic ‘disasters’ have a man-made cause THEMES OF THE DYSTOPIA GENRE Dystopia explores Postmodern themes through the challenging narrative themes; offering a hyperrealism of an uneasy futuristic nightmare and using pastiche to offer hybrid genres. Relate to real-time fears in society Agrarian societies often develop: return to pre-industrialised society The possibility of human demise: survivors struggle for existence! These films create the sense of finality and in some instances a new beginning/ survival / re-birth.

CHARACTERS (28 Days Later- the group almost form a family type group in order to survive. ) The Happening I Am Legend The Book of Eli Male protagonists A loner, pushed into the conflict, suffers a constant threat and violence but however survives against the odds. Postmodern cowboy Alienated Human survivor group - small group from the pre-apocalyptic modern world, struggling to survive in the savage new world. Hero helps them & they remind him of the past modern world and its humanity (and offer hope for the future) The Book of Eli The helper is often female, confused and in need of help and direction from our male hero. The helper is also often reluctant to help or grow attached to the protagonist. - Groups/tribes (animal like) who seek to profit from violent anarchy. Hero encounters these tribes who want to destroy him. He confronts them on their terms (savage, anarchic responses) (28 days later, the military take hostage Hannah and Selena, so they can regain the population by raping the women)

SUB-GENRES Sub-genre: a sub-category within a particular genre Sub genres of the Dystopian genre can include SCIENCE FICTION POST- APOCALYPTIC HORROR ‘Science- gone – wrong’ type films where, the ever increasing use of new technology, medicines and other discoveries has changed the world for the worst. Where the future is controlled by a big brother scenario, relating to fears in society. Examples of dystopia science fiction films include The Matrix (1999), BladeRunner (1982) and The Terminator (1984). ‘end of the world’ films, where a major event has lead to the break down of society’s and countries all over the world, with very few survivors. It includes the idea of Darwinism which reflects the notion of survival noting that it is the rugged individual who proves capable of adapting to a new environment who will survive and eventually advance the new order and new society. Examples of Post-apocalyptic movies include After Earth (2013), Vanishing on 7th Street (2011) and The Book of Eli (2010). Horror dystopia films usually includes a chaotic world of mutants and flesh eating zombies created by some form of man made accident, for example human genetic research or a chemical in the water. Examples of Horror dystopia films include Dawn of the Dead (1978), 28 Days Later (2002) and World War Z (2013)

TIMELINE OF THE DYSTOPIAN GENRE PRE-WAR 1920’S Fear of mass production, totalitarianism, modernist critique, Big Brother style scenarios POST WAR 50’S & 60’S Cold War fears, Nuclear Armageddon, Fear of invasion, Post apocalyptic ideas 1970’S & 1980’S Fears of technological advancements, genetic modification, computer and robotic power, authoritarian states 1990’S AND ONWARDS Fears of cloning, genetics, dystopic themes, environmental disaster, using postmodern ideas of Hybrid genres and pastiche