The film THX 1138, is set hundred's of years into the future in a society which is ruled by technology. Some people would describe the past decade as a society in which technology is ruling us. Simply type 'technology ruling our lives' and you can find more than 10 million articles and sources to confirm what you typed into the search box. I would describe our modern day by saying that we incorporate technology into our lives for various benefits; every aspect of our lives seemingly requires some sort of screen. On the contrary, the plot of THX 1138 seems to give off a feel that their society is dominated and ruled by technology, both literally and figuratively. Throughout the film, we encounter many times that everything is run 'through the system' and on the record. People don't have names in the conventional sense, like John or Michael, they are given abbreviated names followed by a four digit number. In this futuristic oppressive society, sex is severely forbidden, and can result in extreme consequences. People are all forced to take medication that seems to take control of their minds. Everyone is bald, and it just happens to seem as though everything is conveniently white, the outfits, the background of almost all the scenes, and the apartments as well. Robots are programmed to rule this society, and they are the only thing that isn't white, their black outfits and chrome makeup don't comply with the white theme that is so prevalent throughout the film.
THX 1138 is employed at a factory which builds robots that serve as the police officers throughout society. His job is extremely dangerous, as he works close to radioactive materials that have potential to cause huge explosions. THX 1138 and LUH 3417, his female roommate, have sex knowing that it is illegal for them to do so. Later in the film, while working at his post, THX 1138 is operating on the robot when his supervisor realizes he is not on the mandatory drugs he was supposed to take, the cause leading him to lose focus and hesitate while on the job. They proceed to play a high pitch noise through THX's headphones, making him unsusceptible to move, a process called "mindlock". This way, THX can be arrested for not complying with the medical requirements. He is successively released but kept in a weird all white 'prison', i use quotations because there were no bars to prevent THX from moving around freely. He, along with 2 other prisoners, escape the prison but are pulled apart by a vicious crowd of people. SEN 5241, one of the other prisoners who escaped, is caught by the police robots. SRT 5752, the third escaped prisoner crashes his car into a support beam. THX drives as far away as he can, leaves the stolen car, and finds a ladder. While climbing the ladder, the ensuing police robots are ordered to stop chasing THX. Once THX reaches the top of the ladder we understand that the city is entirely underground, and the last scene of the film is THX soaking in the view he never got to see before that moment.
In the film Nineteen Eighty-Four, our main character is named Winston. Winston is employed at a place where he rewrites history to the liking of the dictator of the political totalitarian party (Ingsoc), named Big Brother. His face is always portrayed on huge television screens for all the citizens to chant to. Winston buys a notebook and writes down his thoughts, which is a severe crime in this oppressive society. If a person's thought contradicts those of the Party, they can punished harshly. Winston meets a woman who is from the same class as he is, and they begin to have sexual relations secretly. Winston rents a room by means of the same thrift store owner that sold him the notebook, and it is revealed that the owner was actually a member of the Thought Police. The Thought Police seek to find members of society that betray Ingsoc, and in a sense, cleanse them of all their doubts. Winston and his lover are taken into custody; Winston is then tortured by a man who he presumed was also a thought criminal, but in fact was an undercover agent of the Thought Police. Winston is also mentally tortured, in a way that brings out his worst fears out in front of his eyes. His fear of rats is what is used to get Winston to break psychologically and give up Julia, the girl he was having sex with secretly. After he breaks, he is released. Winston then goes to a cafe, where he meets with Julia and they have a drink. He sees a photo of himself on the television, which says that he confessed to various crimes. Before his rehabilitation, Winston told Julia he loved her, however afterwards it was ambiguous to know if he still felt a connection towards her after his release.
The article titled "They Got Me a Long Time Ago" has an interesting paragraph which explains how an unperson, someone executed by the thought police, has fundamentally vanished from society. People are always being watched, by constant surveillance, usually with two-way televisions or helicopters. These secret executions by the Thought Police, in essence vaporize a subject and subsequently the subject is forgotten of. Love, along with free-thinking and facial expression are forbidden in this totalitarian society. O'Brien has always been viewed by Winston as a fellow thought-criminal, someone who was attempting to secretly overthrow the Party and end this vicious regime, but in reality, was just a member of the Thought Police, dedicated to the Party and finding members who don't follow their mind-boggling laws.
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