‘We’re the bloody grown-ups!’

As a film enthusiast who has lived through the tumultuous political landscape of the past decade, I can confidently say that “2073” is a must-watch for anyone seeking a gripping and thought-provoking cinematic experience. Having witnessed firsthand the rise of populist leaders like Donald Trump during the 2015–16 U.S. election cycle, I was immediately captivated by the visionary director Asif Kapadia’s concept for this film.

Kapadia’s background in creating documentaries such as “Amy” allowed him to approach “2073” with a keen eye for detail and an unflinching commitment to truth-telling. His experiences filming “Mindhunter” in Pittsburgh during the height of political division only fueled his desire to shed light on the complexities of our current political climate.

What sets “2073” apart is its refusal to be pigeonholed into a single issue. Instead, the film weaves together themes such as the breakdown of democracy, the pernicious influence of tech moguls, and the urgent need for action on climate change. Kapadia masterfully demonstrates how these issues intersect and impact one another in a way that is both accessible and thought-provoking.

One scene that particularly resonated with me was the depiction of the titular year 2073, where actress Samantha Morton portrays a lone figure struggling to survive in a dystopian future. As someone who has always been fascinated by science fiction, I appreciated the creative way Kapadia used this genre to explore the potential consequences of our current trajectory.

In conclusion, “2073” is a powerful film that speaks to the concerns of our time. It challenges us to take responsibility for our actions and to speak up against those who seek to divide us. As Kapadia himself says, “We’re the bloody grown-ups.” So let’s do something about it. And on a lighter note, if you’re still unsure whether to watch “2073,” just remember: if you don’t, you might end up being the last person to know who Andrew Tate is!

2073 is in cinemas from New Year’s Day. Add it to your watchlist.

It was during the 2015-2016 U.S. election cycle when director Asif Kapadia (famous for the Oscar-winning documentary “Amy” about Amy Winehouse) first conceived his chilling new drama-doc titled “2073“. At that time, he was in Pittsburgh filming an episode of Netflix’s serial killer drama, Mindhunter, produced by David Fincher. As Republican candidate Donald Trump confronted Democrat rival Hillary Clinton, Kapadia was taken aback by the strong support for Trump among the locals and their dislike towards Clinton. He shared his thoughts with his American friends, expressing his belief that Trump would win, which initially seemed unbelievable to them. However, as events unfolded, Trump indeed won the election.

During that time, Britain wasn’t alone in experiencing significant political shifts as they decided to leave the European Union. It felt like chaos, with people asking questions like, “What on earth is happening? Have we all lost our minds? Why would you vote for something that makes your life harder? Why would you vote to limit your own freedom? Why would you vote to become poorer? Why would you vote to restrict yourself?” It was a time of great confusion. With the emergence of far-right politicians like Jair Bolsonaro in Brazil and Vladimir Putin maintaining his stronghold in Russia, there was a surge of uncertainty worldwide. “This is when these populist leaders started to gain prominence.

Making a bold statement, the filmmaker emphasizes that 2073 isn’t solely focused on figures like Bolsonaro or Trump. Instead, he expresses his disinterest in creating films centered around such individuals. He started this project by conversing with friends in India and Brazil, discovering their shared worries about global affairs. This initial conversation blossomed into a drama-documentary that tackles political turmoil as well as addresses climate change and the problematic impact of tech titans, such as Elon Musk.

We’ve boiled down numerous interconnected topics into a simplified model: the deterioration of democracy and the emergence of authoritarian rule, technology and climate change, forming almost like a triangular relationship.” Or perhaps an unsettling intersection of concepts, where everything is intricately linked. As Kapadia explains, it’s essential to grasp the climate crisis without considering those in power and their environmental policies. Similarly, understanding the political landscape requires recognizing the connection between the influential figures and Big Tech.

Trump’s re-entry into the White House led to the appointment of Musk, a significant donor to his election campaign, as head of the Department of Government Efficiency with the aim of managing government spending. Notably, Musk also owns Twitter, an ideal social media platform for his aspirations. According to Kapadia, ever since Musk purchased Twitter, there has been a growing desire for power within him.

2073, featuring knowledgeable individuals as experts, is not confined to a talking heads documentary format. Instead, it blends elements of reality and fiction, with part of the story unfolding in the year 2073. Actress Samantha Morton portrays a solitary figure navigating a dystopian future, struggling to survive and pondering the swift decay of our planet. Director Kapadia explains his motivation for creating this sci-fi film, stating that it served as an opportunity to delve into science fiction, a genre he has previously explored in his work, such as his 2001 debut feature The Warrior, which reimagines the western genre amidst India’s desert landscapes.

He sighs, “We’re the responsible adults.” He suggests that it’s our duty to act and voice our concerns because each person can only manage their own personal sphere – family, friends, work environment, and immediate community. Kapadia points out how the Far Right manipulate young people online by targeting them directly. This is why many youth recognize figures like Andrew Tate, even before Kapadia himself was aware of who he was. It’s this unsettling reality that gives Kapadia a sense of apprehension about the current state of the world. Watching 2073, you too will experience this unease.

2024-12-31 06:34

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