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The year “2024” may sound like a stutter or appear to be a typo, but it holds a futuristic quality that has captured the imagination of filmmakers more than any other year in the future.
The general agreement is that humans will not have a good outcome at that time, either falling victim to our destructive actions towards the environment or to each other. However, there is always the possibility of a savior to change the course of history. Looking back at the major events of the past year – excessive capitalism, cruelty towards immigrants and refugees, and increased warfare – it is clear that we could use some guidance. When watching a selection of movies set in 2024, one is presented with various worst-case scenarios, each offering a potential escape route. In some cases, the filmmakers intended their work to serve as a warning before it’s too late for civilization. And if there is hope for humanity, perhaps we can learn from the Highlander and pave a path towards progress.
Beyond the Time Barrier
Edgar G Ulmer, known for his work in B-movies, brought his distinct style and perspective to this time-travel adventure. Despite being made on a low budget, the film tackles important themes of class inequality and collective responsibility. The story follows an air force pilot who gets caught in a tear in the fabric of time and finds himself in a futuristic stronghold called the Citadel. The Citadel serves as a shelter for a group of survivors who are under constant threat from mutated creatures. However, the pilot soon discovers that things are not as they seem, with the help of a woman who can read minds. Together, they find themselves in a twisted version of Eden, playing the roles of Adam and Eve. The film’s ending serves as a warning about the dangers of nuclear weapons and the slow response to environmental issues.
A young boy and his loyal canine companion.
“The tagline on the poster for LQ Jones’s dark, post-apocalyptic satire, “a future you’ll likely witness,” proclaims that it is the year 2024. However, there is still a sense of implausibility and distance in the journey taken by Vic, a morally corrupt rapist, and his intelligent, grumpy, telepathic canine companion, Blood. They travel through a desolate wasteland populated by marauders, rogue robots, and monstrous creatures resembling those from “The Hills Have Eyes.” Vic is enticed by his next victim into what he believes to be an underground haven, only to discover that he will be forced to collect dozens of reproductive samples every day through electroejaculation. This insane battle-of-the-sexes satire reflects the wild and unrestricted nature of the 1970s (and how much Hollywood could get away with in those days), rather than our impending future.”
Highlander 2: The Quickening
The sequel to the film about beheadings in Scotland is chaotic, which is understandable considering that the final version was taken away from director Russell Mulcahy by financial executives who were worried about his ability to make a profit for them. However, amidst the jumbled mix of conflicting stories that deviates from the original mossy legend, we see a satirical portrait of corporate greed. Set in 2024, the Earth’s ozone layer has been depleted since the 1990s, resulting in millions of deaths from excessive exposure to the sun’s rays. The good news? Connor MacLeod, the Highlander himself, has invented a shield that can protect the planet from the harmful effects of the sun. The bad news? The Earth is now in a state of prolonged darkness, with extreme temperatures and stifling humidity. And the worst news? The unscrupulous Shield Corporation has taken control of the barrier and imposes heavy taxes on countries in a global protection scheme. These issues of scarcity and exploitation are not farfetched for us in the present either. If you believe that in a future where we must live in floating houses due to rising sea levels, developers won’t take advantage of buyers, I have some seaside property that will soon be submerged to sell you.
Illang: The Wolf Brigade
The plot for this live-action adaptation of Mamoru Oshii’s popular anime suggests that there will be a lot of turmoil in Asia in the near future. Japan is forced to build up its military due to internal conflicts, while the United States and Russia try to maintain control in the region. The two Koreas join forces to increase their power, but five years later, tensions between North and South Korea escalate and threaten to lead to a civil war. This speculative scenario is based on real-world political situations. Just hours before this article was written, North Korea’s leader Kim Jong-un declared war on the United States, serving as a reminder of the country’s potential as a nuclear threat. However, in the film, the true danger comes from the South Korean government’s excessive use of power, resulting in a group of ruthless mercenaries with red-eyed gas masks. The message is to not fight against authoritarian regimes, as it could lead to becoming one ourselves.
The Last Days of American Crime/Narcopolis
Two low-budget movies suggest that trying to fix society’s problems could actually make them worse by giving more power to those in positions of authority. In one film, a lengthy Netflix production by Olivier Megaton, a “synaptic blocker” has eliminated crime but also raises questions about free will. In the other, all drugs are legal, causing conflict between illegal drug dealers and pharmaceutical companies. In both cases, the promise of a better future ultimately leads to negative consequences in the present, as these advancements only serve to benefit those in power. This idea is also reflected in current events, such as tax-friendly environmental initiatives and the legalization of marijuana, where the government and corporations only act in their own self-interest.
Source: theguardian.com
