This document provides information about exploring dystopian characteristics through film. It defines utopia as an ideally perfect society and dystopia as an imagined future society that maintains an illusion of perfection through oppressive controls. It lists common characteristics of dystopian societies, such as the use of propaganda, restrictions on information and individuality, and a fear of the outside world. It also describes common types of dystopian control, including corporate, bureaucratic, technological, and philosophical/religious control. The document provides discussion questions to help analyze dystopian films and identify their critiques of current trends, norms, or systems.

1. Exploring dystopian
characteristics through film
Lesson plan adapted from ReadWriteThink.

2. What would a perfect society look like?
[ brainstorm ]

3. Utopia
A place, state, or condition that is ideally perfect in respect
of politics, laws, customs, and conditions.

4. Dystopia
A futuristic, imagined universe in which oppressive societal
control and the illusion of a perfect society are maintained
through corporate, bureaucratic, technological, moral, or
totalitarian control. Dystopias, through an exaggerated worstcase scenario, make a criticism about a current trend,
societal norm, or political system.

5. Characteristics of a dystopian society
➡
Propaganda is used to control the citizens of society.
➡
Information, independent thought, and freedom are restricted.
➡
A figurehead or concept is worshipped by the citizens of the society.
➡
Citizens are perceived to be under constant surveillance.
➡
Citizens have a fear of the outside world.
➡
Citizens live in a dehumanized state.
➡
The natural world is banished and distrusted.
➡
Citizens conform to uniform expectations. Individuality and dissent are
bad.
➡
The society is an illusion of a perfect utopian world.

6. Pause / Reflect. Compare and contrast the
concepts of utopia and dystopia.
[ Venn diagram ]

7. Identify the protagonist. What is said directly
about him and what is implied?
[ comparative table]

8. The dystopian protagonist
➡
Often feels trapped and is struggling to escape.
➡
Questions the existing social and political systems.
➡
Believes or feels that something is terribly wrong with the society
in which he or she lives.
➡
Helps the audience recognizes the negative aspects of the
dystopian world
➡
Through his or her perspective.

9. What is communicated about the world in this
film? Who controls it, and how?
[ list ]

10. Types of dystopian control
➡
Corporate control: One or more large corporations control society
through products, advertising, and/or the media. Examples include
Minority Report and Running Man.
➡
Bureaucratic control: Society is controlled by a mindless
bureaucracy through a tangle of red tape, relentless regulations, and
incompetent government officials. Examples in film include Brazil.
➡
Technological control: Society is controlled by technology—through
computers, robots, and/or scientific means. Examples include The
Matrix, The Terminator, and I, Robot.
➡
Philosophical/religious control: Society is controlled by
philosophical or religious ideology often enforced through a
dictatorship or theocratic government.

11. Dystopia
A futuristic, imagined universe in which oppressive societal
control and the illusion of a perfect society are maintained
through corporate, bureaucratic, technological, moral, or
totalitarian control. Dystopias, through an exaggerated
worst-case scenario, make a criticism about a
current trend, societal nor m, or political system .

12. Identify the “worst-case scenarios” explored
in the film. Identify social trends, norms, or
systems criticized by the film.
[ list ]

13. Recap
1. What illusion of a perfect society is depicted in the clips the class
has viewed? What is the society like in reality?
2. How are the members of this society being oppressed?
3. What kind of control is used to keep the members of this society
oppressed?
4. What current trend, societal norm, or political system is
exaggerated in this world?
5. What criticism is made through this exaggeration in the clips?
What current trend, societal norm, or political system is
addressed?