2020 is becoming an eerie mash-up of dystopian films like 'Contagion', 'V for Vendetta' and 'Hunger Games'
In an eerie parallel, scenes from several dystopian movies seem to be reflected in the events that have been playing out recently. While dystopian movies by their very nature tend to predict the faultlines in society, 2020 seems like a weird mash-up of movies released between 2011 and 2016. The lone ranger 'V for Vendetta', is even more prescient, having been released in 2006. Here are the ways in which these movies are reflecting our current reality.
'Contagion' (2011)
From the time the first COVID 19 cases were reported in the US in January 2020 to the end of March, when 32 out of 50 states had locked down, 'Contagion' saw a resurgence in its popularity for its depiction of a COVID 19-like pandemic situation that was billed, at the time of its release, as a medical thriller that "really felt like what could happen". By March 2020, 'Contagion' saw a huge spike in viewers rushing to watch a 10-year-old film that felt like a documentary on sites like iTunes and Netflix. Warner Bros, the distributors for the film, announced that the film was the most in-demand film in its catalog, behind the 'Harry Potter' franchise, as compared to its number 270 rank in December 2019.
In the film, the chain of contagion originates from bats and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends "social distancing", forcibly isolating the healthy to limit the spread of the disease. In 2011, the film was praised by the scientific community for its accurate and vivid depiction of how a global pandemic situation develops from one "Patient Zero". It also showed examples of crowd psychology and collective behavior which lead to situations of mass hysteria and loss of social order.
It also focussed on the spread of misinformation, which creates its own set of problems. 'Contagion' featured conspiracy theorist Alan Krumwiede, who posts a video claiming to have cured himself by using a homeopathic cure derived from forsythia. People seeking forsythia then overwhelm pharmacies. This is similar to how people started buying up stocks of hydroxychloroquine when it was touted as a cure for coronavirus, emptying pharmacy shelves of this drug.
The renewed popularity of the film led the cast to reunite to film public service announcements about COVID-19. Kate Winslet, Matt Damon, Laurence Fishburne, and Jennifer Ehle, each recorded messages urging people to listen to experts, wash their hands with soap, and practice social distancing.
'The Purge' franchise (2013-2018)
The film franchise presents a near-future dystopian America which celebrates an annual national holiday known as "the Purge", in which all crimes, including murder, are legal for a 12-hour period.
Way back in 2017, the then soon-to-be-president, Donald Trump, had announced that he wanted his 2020 campaign slogan to be “Keep America Great.” The phrase was already the tagline of the 'The Purge: Election Year', the third film of the franchise.
Critics pointed out that in the film the Purge existed to "cleanse America of its poor and disenfranchised— who conveniently, often happen to be non-white.” that coincided with the incoming administration's response on issues like gun control, health care, immigration, income inequality, and its subsequent response to police brutality against people of color. In the film, a neo-Nazi paramilitary force plays a pivotal role.
In May 2020, gun-toting protesters against Michigan's coronavirus lockdown stormed the state capitol building. Dubbed the "American Patriot Rally", it was organized by Michigan United for Liberty to force state businesses to reopen. At the time, President Donald Trump supported demonstrators, tweeting "LIBERATE MICHIGAN", that some critics believed would foment insurrection.
The current looting and vandalizing that occurred during the George Floyd protests also has shades of the anarchy shown in the film as out-of-state people from the far-right, far-left and anarchist groups mingle with peaceful protesters to wreak havoc. This aspect of the protests also resembles the scenario in 'Dark Knight Rises' (2012)
'V for Vendetta' (2006)
Ever since the film released, the Guy Fawkes mask has become a symbol of anti-authoritarian protest. Anti-lockdown protestors were seen using this mask. Originally, the film that was adapted from Alan Moore's 1980s comic series was about one man standing up against a fascist government that inspires the masses to rise up, all wearing Guy Fawkes masks to both hide their identities and express solidarity with the rebellion.
The film and the mask then became the inspiration for the loose collective of hackers called 'Anonymous' who also used the mask when broadcasting their intentions about potential targets. Now, during the George Floyd protests, 'Anonymous' has again become active to support the protesters, threatening to reveal damaging information about the Minneapolis Police Department, and the administration.
Their "We are Legion, expect us" video has gone viral and seen a renewed public interest in this "hacktivist" collective. Most recently, Anonymous has taken to trolling those who tweet "#WhiteLivesMatter" and "#BlueLivesMatter" with the help of KPop stans.
'Hunger Games' (2012-2015)
As President Donald Trump addressed the nation from the Rose Garden in White House, he spoke of the looting and violence during the protests as "acts of domestic terror". He recommended "overwhelming law enforcement presence until the violence has been quelled" and stated that "if the city or state refuses to take the actions that are necessary to defend the life and property of their residence, then I will deploy the United States military and quickly solve the problem for them". Several journalists took to Twitter to comment that while Trump was addressing the nation and when he walked to the St. John’s Church for a photo op, peaceful protesters were dispersed using smoke and flash grenades, tear-gas, and some form of chemical spray.
These events along with Trump's declaration that he would use the military against American civilians gave rise to comparisons with President Snow, the dictator in the 'Hunger Games', who also deployed the military when the other districts rebel and march into Panem's Capitol. Twitter users used screenshots of President Snow's monologue to Katniss Everdeen in his rose garden and the words "Rose Garden" while commenting on Trump's speech.