CHILDREN OF MEN

CHILDREN OF MEN

There are no more children. There are no more pregnancies. There is no more hope. Except for one last person who may be the key to world once lived.

            Children of Men is a hard-hitting sci-fi thriller centered on a near-ruined society that has been faced with infertility among the world’s inhabitants. When one time activist Theo Faron meets up with his ex-wife, she asks for his help in getting papers for a refugee named Kee – who may be the last hope for humanity’s survival. From there, it becomes Theo’s main duty to transport Kee to the elusive Tomorrow ship, which is believed to be a group of people whose primary work consists of finding a cure to the world’s infertility.

            Children of Men, directed by Alfonso Cuarón employs a series of art-based techniques which give the film an original direction. One aspect includes the single-take action sequences, otherwise known as oners. The takes, such as the car-sequence when the group of activists, including Theo and Julian, are trying to escape from the refugees, exemplify the overall style and artistic direction of the film – which essentially is a gritty society with limited technological innovation since the previous society that inhabited. Furthermore, the long one take sequences pinpoint the director’s choice to portray a raw and documentary type film which ultimately allows the audience to become entrapped within the world of the film. Other aspects of this film which aid the overall style and artistic direction include the film’s cinematography and thematic elements. The cinematography aids greatly in portraying the era upon which society is living in during this time – on the brink of war

and with hope almost nonexistent. Furthermore, the thematic elements of hope and faith continue to push the story and allow empathy to be created within the struggling, gritty world that the film takes place.

            Personally, I think Alfonso Cuarón did a fantastic job utilizing the elements of production to create this film and portray a grimy society against the hope of humanity surviving for generations to come.

            This film is a great example of how action mixed with a great direction, story and themes can come together to create a film that is both politically appeasing and intriguing to watch.