Synopsis: The film is set in the future where man has developed technology to replicate (human clones)
Blade Runner & Postmodernism
- Blade Runner creates a debate on the progression of science and technology in the film we see these tools have been shown in a negative light as scenes show the land polluted and the streets overcrowding the classes separated as wealth creates opportunities for people to leave and relocate to the 'off-worlds'.
-The film has been remade this has included extra footage to the original film.
-Questions the meaning of humanity, 'distinction between human and machine is unclear' shows how technology plays its role in society, as a the question can emotions be programmed?
-Film is about 'time and our lack of it'. Has a belief in a Postmodern city advertisement promoting the idea to escape to an 'off-world' for a better life.
Film Noir
Films made in Hollywood in the 1940s and 1950s, film noir is also known as ‘black film’ the name comes from a series of books published in France these were mainly translations of American crime fiction. These books were about crime with a detective playing the role of the hero who eventually falls in love with a treacherous female also referred to as ‘femme fatale’ she is attractive wearing tight evening wear; she will have a cigarette which draws attention to the females body, her role involves manipulating the hero which can lead towards his doom.
Lighting is critical feature in film noir high contrast areas of light and shade creates a dramatic effect such as light filtering through blinds the shadows cast across a person’s face this can represent a hidden dark side to the character’s personality. Location usually takes place in cities the back streets, bars and clubs. The detective (hero) would be dressed in either a suit or trench coat while the female wears elegant clothing.
Visual Narrative
A futuristic setting symbolized through the use of technology used by the characters and the modes of transportation. The film does not follow film noir, tension between Deckard (hero) and Rachael (femme fatal) is created however there is little betrayal caused by Rachael. The ending involves a battle between man (Deckard) and machine (Batty) is turned into a fight of machine within mankind as it races towards a digital and genetic age.
Blade Runner shows a side to what being human means and questions the meaning of life the film itself does not give answers to the questions surrounding the narrative.
Classical Narrative: Classical Hollywood Realism
Hollywood producers defined the characters as either ‘hero’ or ‘villain’ this is assists in shaping the film to define each character and their goals/ motivations for their actions. Blade Runner pinpoints Deckard as the ‘hero’ his goal for the film is to hunt and retire the returned replicants, while the replicants are deemed as ‘villains’ Roy Batty being the main target due to his desire of revenge upon his creator on this journey Batty has killed 23 people to return to Earth. In a climax ending the battle between good and evil is delivered to produce a end to the characters journey.
On the other hand the line between hero and villain becomes distorted as Batty saves Deckard from falling to his death this questions Batty’s villain title.
Postmodernity and Blade Runner
Postmodernity relates to the media industry and how the public are continuously immersed in a media saturated world even in the world of work, travelling or at home. This also corresponds to the rise of technology which has become essential in our day to day living, the world of media has altered reality resulting in a new form of perception, with images as forms of representation.
Blade Runner (1982 directed by Ridley Scott) did not achieve well in the box office however since the first release there have been edited versions (a total of seven) have been created to re-launch the film. After the original version was released in 1982 modifications were later added, in 2007 a special “The Final Cut” was released by Warner Brothers this contains the most recent footage with the selection of bonus features.
Blade Runner has ticked the boxes to be recognised as a postmodern film, the film noir has been recognised as the position of each character makes the role crucial such as the female character Rachel who plays the role as the femme fatal which regards her as a dangerous and sexually dangerous while Harrison Ford plays the role of the villain however this position becomes questioned as Batty saves Deckard from falling to his death this goes against film noir. Blade Runner leaves many unanswered questions such as the fate of Rachel and Deckard also lifts the question of what it means to be human however the film itself does not answer these questions instead allows the audience to decide their own opinions.
Classical Narrative relates to Hollywood’s perception of realism as the role of the hero and villain is stated to assist in shaping the film this is to define the characters and their roles, Blade Runner follows classical narrative however begins to divert away towards the ending challenging Batty’s position of the villain. I believe this was intended to make the audience think this makes them more involved in the film as they can create their own perception of the characters role.
Through research I have found Blade Runner can also be described as not being postmodern Nick Lacey stated Ridley Scott turned away from the postmodern view as Blade Runner was only a “production of mainstream cinema only films with an independent sensibility are able to fully represent the post human due to the ideals of romantic love are central to patriarchal society needs”. He believes the film fails to represent the postmodern view of the human condition.
On the other hand Blade Runner refers the audience back to reality and how our world has developed how technology has influenced our lives and become an essential to everyday. Blade Runner debates how science and technology have intervened in our lives, Blade Runner takes a step further introducing genetic engineering into human life which brings the main question “what it means to be human?” Genetic engineering removes humans from their natural origins (evolution) Blade Runner shows two sides the increasing human experience in the real world and the dominant power of technology which plays more of a role within the film.
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