Dystopian Science Fiction

Definition of Dystopia

• A film genre that borrows elements of horror, film noir and si-fi

• A futuristic, imagined universe in which oppressive societal control and the illusion of a perfect society are maintained through corporate, bureaucratic, technological, moral, or totalitarian control.

• A film based on a distant, futuristic society where where death and despair is prevalent

• An imagined place or state of things in which everything is perfect.

What are the underlying social and cultural themes seen in Dystopian Science Fiction films?

• Dehumanization

• Power Imbalance / oppressive government/ media censorship

• Gender roles

• cyber-genetic technologies

• Class Inequality / segregation / societal chaos

What are the 4 types of characters that are typically seen in a Dystopian Science Fiction film?

• Hero, side-kick, aliens and monsters

• Robots, aliens/non humans, females, sidekick

• Hero, side-kick/mentor, helper, aliens/non-humans

• side-kick /mentors, helpers, aliens and non-humans

What is the typical setting of a Dystopian Science Fiction film?

• Dark, ominous, storm, jungle.

• Fictional alternate reality, time, or place - set in a futuristic setting or alternative history. Large city or futuristic space-ship.

• Space, futuristic universe, future, grave yard, jungle.

• The future, city, remote area, power plant, warehouse.

Which social and cultural issues does The Hunger Games make comment on (can be more than one)

• Massive dehumanization

• Power imbalance/oppressive

  government/media censorship

• Gender roles

• Cyber-genetic technologies

• Class inequality/segregation

which of the following technical codes is not a typical of Dystopian films

• Detailed costuming

• Special effects

• Low angle shots

• Flash backs

• Voice over

Dystopian films sometimes borrows elements of the Horror genre to add suspense and fear.

• True

• False

Dystopian films borrow which elements from Film Noir genre codes?

• Startling contrasts

• Symbolic shadows

• French accents

• Stark lighting

Describe a scene in The Hunger Games, making comment on the use of specific technical and symbolic codes and analyse how these elements assist in making comment on a social or cultural issue.