Film Reviews: dystopian Futures, National happiness, and Past Education
Table of Contents
A look at three films exploring diverse themes: post-apocalyptic survival, the pursuit of happiness as a national metric, and the challenges of education in 19th-century France.
Surviving the Apocalypse: A Review of “The End”
Joshua Oppenheimer‘s “The End” presents a chilling vision of a family’s existence in a bunker, 25 years after an environmental catastrophe rendered the Earth’s surface uninhabitable. Starring Tilda Swinton as the matriarch, Michael Shannon as the father, and George Mackay as their son, the film delves into the bizarre rituals and warped values of a bourgeois family attempting to maintain a semblance of normalcy in their underground prison. The film explores themes of love, suffering, and the commodification of life itself within the confines of their self-imposed exile.
Oppenheimer crafts a disturbing narrative inspired by the excesses of a Russian Tycoon, highlighting the potential for societal breakdown and the lengths to which the privileged might go to preserve their way of life. The film’s strength lies in its unsettling portrayal of a family detached from reality, clinging to outdated values in a world irrevocably changed. While visually striking, some critics find the narrative somewhat underdeveloped, resulting in a mixed reception.
A bold cinema experience about a group that survived the end of the world. Evil and terrifying present.
measuring Happiness: “The Agent of Happiness” in Bhutan
In a world increasingly focused on economic indicators, Bhutan stands out for its unique approach to national well-being. As the 1990s, the country has prioritized Gross National Happiness (GNH) as a guiding principle for its policies.Arun bhattarai and Dorottya Zurbo’s documentary, “The Agent of Happiness,” follows Amber, a government representative tasked with measuring the happiness of Bhutan’s citizens.
The film reveals the complexities of quantifying such a subjective concept, particularly in a nation grappling with poverty and social inequalities. Bhattarai and Zurbo avoid simplistic judgments, rather allowing the stories of the Bhutanese people to speak for themselves. The documentary offers a nuanced viewpoint on the challenges of implementing a happiness-based approach to governance, highlighting the importance of individual experiences and cultural context. According to a 2023 study by the Center for Bhutan Studies & GNH, while GNH remains a central tenet of Bhutanese policy, challenges persist in addressing income inequality and access to essential services.
The variables of a “happiness” are not so easy to put on a denominator in such a variety of people characterized by poverty and discrimination.
Education and Resistance: “Louise and the school of freedom”
Eric Bernard’s historical drama, “Louise and the school of freedom,” transports viewers to 19th-century France, a time of critically important social and educational change. The film explores the tensions that arose following the introduction of compulsory schooling in 1882, particularly in rural communities where child labor was essential for agricultural production.
Alexandra Lamy stars as Louise, a city-raised teacher sent to a rural village to educate the local children. Initially met with suspicion and resistance,Louise gradually earns the trust of the community as she demonstrates the value of education. Bernard’s film paints a vivid picture of a progressive village grappling with the challenges of modernization and the clash between conventional ways of life and the promise of a new era. While the film excels in its depiction of rural life, some critics argue that the inclusion of a trauma subplot detracts from the central theme of education and social change.
Education is precious, but has its price.
