We live in a society where we have the freedom to voice our opinions and have control of our own lives. If that was one day taken away from us by a superior power the people would revolt against an inhumane leadership. In the dystopian futures of the films The Matrix and The Hunger Games, several scenes portray the oppression of humanity.
The film The Matrix explores several intersecting systems of oppression. An example of oppression within gender is demonstrated in the opening shot of the film. It starts with armed, white, male officers searching for Trinity. Introducing this as one of the beginning scenes portrays a symbol of authority. When agents of the Matrix arrive at the scene one of the policemen mentions to the agent, “I think we can handle one little girl.” (The Matrix, Lana and Lilly Wachowski, 00:02:35). In making this comment, it implies that women are seen as inferior to men. Another form of subjugation in this dystopian future is that humans are used as a power source for an AI superior. People are unknowingly stuck in a simulated world to keep them blind from the truth. They are planted in pods where they are used as a source of energy, while their minds are stuck in a simulation that makes their life incomparable to any other. When Neo discovers this, he becomes freed by rebel leader Morpheus by being awoken to real life. When Neo was exposed to the reality of the matrix he was in disbelief and horrified. With this dilemma, he faces the reality of returning not knowing anything or living his life as a freeman. Individuals living in this simulated reality are being oppressed by being withheld from the truth. As individuals become freed they have the ultimate decision to change the future at the same time it raises questions about the ethics of belief. This is introduced through the “red/blue pill scene” (The Matrix, Lana and Lilly Wachowski, 00:28:55). Neo has the choice to face reality or return to his “reality.” The individuals who have not been freed and continue to live in the matrix go along with their regular activities oblivious to the oppressive system that is designed to keep them under control.
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In the film The Hunger Games the oppression of the people is not subtle as compared to the matrix. The majority of individuals living in this dystopian future are fighting for any chance of freedom. As punishment, district members are required to participate in annual ceremonies known as “The Hunger Games.” In these ceremonies members of each district are required to be sent out and fight against other members with only one survivor. In this society, “The government controls the means of communication, the access to resources for survival, and the constant pressure of knowing that each year the Hunger Games will come again, and many will die in public view.” (Collins). People are subjected to follow the rules set by the regime or face poverty and death, without supporting the administration in their decisions resulting in the loss of resources needed for survival. This form of government is dehumanizing as it does not allow the people to hold their own opinions and beliefs.
Years before the initial hunger games were held, there was a mass rebellion in opposition to the parliament. This uprising was largely due to a long history of oppressive leadership. After the defeat of the rebels, the capital began holding the yearly hunger games. The second rebellion resulted from the brutally dehumanizing control of the regime. Panem soon fell into massive riots by members of the society which largely consisted of the poor who were being withheld from resources. People against the leadership of the capital rebel by refusing to follow the rules. After persistent efforts of refusing to follow any rules, they turned to war-like battles to take control of the capital. The rebels soon managed to defeat the capital along the way making sacrifices and facing hardships. Under the new administration, the annual hunger games were removed. Members of this society finally reclaimed their political and economic freedom.
Although both these films discuss overcoming oppression, it’s accomplished in numerous ways. The film The Matrix shows people living during this time unaware of the suppression they face. They continue with their lives unaware that they’re being controlled by something much more powerful. The rebels then are those who are accountable for defeating the matrix and exposing reality through virtual battles. In the film The Hunger Games the people living during this era are conscious of the mistreatment from their government. A select few brave individuals are then chosen to defeat the government and take over the capital. They managed to take down those in higher power through a series of warlike battles which they fought for their liberation.
The agents of resistance in the film The Matrix are Neo and Trinity who are fighting alongside the rebels of the Matrix. Their role is to ruin the matrix and liberate everyone within it. However, the matrix also created agents to prevent being exposed to the false reality they created. These men dress in black suits with sunglasses, representing authoritative figures.
In times of unjust leadership, the people rebel against those in higher power. In the class reading, “The Paranoid Style in American Politics” it states, “American politics has often been an arena for angry minds. In recent years we have seen angry minds at work mainly among extreme right-wingers, who have now demonstrated… how much political leverage can be got out… of a small minority.” (Hofstadter, 76). This act of political power is demonstrated through the film The Hunger Games where the agents of resistance are fighting for the liberation of all thirteen districts under the rule of the capital. Each individual is being affected by the decision being made. This results in Katniss and other members of the district rebelling against the capital by refusing to follow their orders. The capital holds hunger games to withhold the freedom of the people within their districts. Katniss’ initial act of rebellion was when she volunteered herself as a tribute to protect her sister from participating in the games. As all members of the district witnessed this through monitors they admired her for her bravery and the capital was judged for their actions. After a long battle of being able to outsmart the capital they finally succeeded and regained control of their districts.
The agents of resistance of these two films differ from one another in that The Hunger Games uses a variety of close-up shots of the faces of the people to establish emotions. An example of this is portrayed in the scene where Rue is shot and killed. (The Hunger Games, Gary Ross, 2012). The camera captures an up-close shot of Katniss and her emotions of anger and sadness are visible to the audience.
Compared to the different approaches taken by each member against their oppressive government, I don't believe any form of liberation is preferable to the other. In the film The Matrix Neo uses excessive violence, he kills multiple police officers under the orders of his mission. The Matrix can be seen as a film that rejects a capitalist society and praises individualism. Therefore, throughout the film, Neo questions his existence and position in life. Similarly, in the film The Hunger Games, Katniss participates in many acts of violence under the mindset that she has a mission to accomplish to liberate the districts from the capital.
Although both these dystopian futures differ in how they are being oppressed, eventually they accomplish their mission of liberating the people. Along the way the films were also successful in portraying society's flaws in regards to gender, politics, and how much power the people have. Ultimately, to liberate yourself from oppression you must become aware of your surroundings and stand up against those in power.
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