A definition of Dystopian Narrative and examples of film and TV programmes .

1. Narratives become dystopian or negative,
downbeat. Often the "bad" guys win or everyone
dies. Often these texts suggest a lack of hope in the
future.

2. LO:
To learn about
Dystopian
Narratives in
film/
programmes as
a sign of
postmodernity.

3. A fictional place where
everything is unpleasant and
has dire consequences, a
totalitarian state or a
degraded environment- an
unfavorable society. The
opposite to utopia, where
everything is positive and
pleasant.

4. Unfavorable society
Often set in a harsh
future
Unpleasant
environment
A totalitarian
(dictatorship)
government
Society is the
antagonist, working
against the main
protagonist
Human oppression
loss of civil rights
surveillance

6. Divergent
(dir. Neil Burger 2014)
 Tris Prior (Shailene Woodley) lives in
a futuristic world in which society is
divided into five factions. As each
person enters adulthood, he or she
must choose a faction and commit to
it for life. Tris chooses Dauntless --
those who pursue bravery above all
else. However, her initiation leads to
the discovery that she is a Divergent
and will never be able to fit into just
one faction. Warned that she must
conceal her status, Tris uncovers a
looming war which threatens
everyone she loves.
http://time.com/32022/divergent-dystopian-stories-shailene-woodley-interview/

7. The Hunger Games (dir.
Francis Lawrence 2014)
 In what was once North America, the Capitol of
Panem maintains its hold on its 12 districts by
forcing them each to select a boy and a girl,
called Tributes, to compete in a nationally
televised event called the Hunger Games.
Every citizen must watch as the youths fight to
the death until only one remains.
 After arriving safely home from their
unprecedented victory in the 74th Annual
Hunger Games, Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer
Lawrence) and Peeta Mellark (Josh
Hutcherson) discover that they must do a quick
turnaround and begin a Victors Tour. As she
and Peeta travel throughout the districts,
Katniss senses a rebellion is stirring. However,
President Snow (Donald Sutherland) proves
that he is still very much in control when word
comes of a cruel change in the rules for the
upcoming 75th Hunger Games.
http://www.netflix.com/search/the%20hunger%20games

8. The Purge (dir. James
DeMonaco 2013)
 In an America ravaged by crime and
overcrowded prisons, the government
sanctions an annual 12-hour period
during which all criminal activity --
including murder -- is legal. James Sandin
(Ethan Hawke) and his family face the
ultimate test when an intruder drags the
vicious outside world into their home.
James, Mary (Lena Headey) and their two
children struggle to survive the night
while trying not to turn into monsters like
the ones they are striving to avoid.

9.  Totall Recall (dir. Len Wiseman
2012)
 In need of a vacation from his
ordinary life, factory worker
Douglas Quaid (Colin Farrell) visits
Rekall, a company that can turn
dreams into real memories.
Thinking that memories of life as a
superspy are just the ticket, Quaid
undergoes the procedure -- but it
goes horribly wrong. Suddenly,
Quaid is a hunted man. He teams
up with a rebel fighter (Jessica Biel)
on a search to find the head of the
underground resistance and take
down the leader (Bryan Cranston)
of the free world.

10.  Divergent
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sutgWjz10sM
 The Purge
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K0LLaybEuzA

11.  Black Mirror
 http://www.channel4.com/programmes/black-
mirror/
 http://www.channel4.com/programmes/black-
mirror/on-demand
 Dr Who
 In some stories the technical, social or political
forces that bind a dystopia on a planet are a
central theme - and sometimes is a parody of
contemporary situations.
 http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p02ct985

12. Exam Section B:
Postmodernism-
Dystopian Narratives
Watch at least TWO
dystopian
films/programmes. Write
a 350 report about why
these films can be seen as
a sign of postmodernism?
 Dystopian Narrative
 Artificial