A Comparison Of Dystopia In The Film 'The Truman Show'

How does Weir/Ross demonstrate that a world controlled by the media can only be dystopian in nature.

Utopia, as defined by Thomas Moore, is “a community or society possessing highly desirable or perfect qualities”. Peter Weir’s satirical science fiction film, ‘The Truman Show’ focuses on a man, Truman Burbank, whose life is part of a massive television set disguised as a town called Seahaven – orchestrated by executive producer, Christof. His every move is captured by hidden cameras and broadcasted live. However, Truman is unknown to all this unlike in Gary Ross’ adventure movie, ‘The Hunger Games’. In what was once North America, the Capitol of Panem maintains its hold on its 12 districts by forcing a boy and a girl from each district to

Both films explore the concept of dystopia in a media controlled society and the true power which hope possesses. Moreover, both texts highlight the way leaders use their positions to manipulate to their advantage. However, both texts exemplify the oppression the characters are confronted with and endorse the way certain individuals challenge unjust authority figures.

Both texts demonstrate the influence that hope has on an oppressed society which accompanies destabilisation of superior powers. Hope in both narratives is expressed as the pinnacle of human nature and an intrinsic part of any society. However, although these traits are recognised by the leaders in both texts, both also understand that hope must be contained in order to ensure that an uprising does not occur. President Snow, in ‘The Hunger Games’, enforces the Hunger Games to

Although people recognise that they are being treated unjustly, the feeling of defeat by their society, often forces them to adjust their morals in order to survive. President Snow utilises heritage and tradition as an excuse for the Hunger Games. Moreover, he disguises his true intentions as a way to ‘remember [the] past]’ and ‘safeguard [the] future’. In truth, the Games is a raw exercise of power which scares the citizens in order as well as reminding the people the power which Snow holds. The citizens of Panem, more specifically the lower class, are aware that they are being emotionally manipulated however, have come to the realisation that there is not much that can be done. When a young competitor passes away, her district attempts to fight against the Capitol, though they were immediately shut down – threatened with violence. Alike ‘The Hunger Games’, ‘The Truman Show’ also explores the emotional manipulation exercised on citizens living under a dictatorship. Similarly, Christof also applies the same glorification to the ugly truth by transforming Truman’s prisoned life into ‘a television show that gives hope, joy, and inspiration to millions’. Furthermore, as Truman grew older he began to dream of larger things, so to keep him in Seahaven, Christof ‘finally…came up with the concept of Kirk’s drowning’ which after the