Futuristic Urban Images in Dystopian Science Fiction Movies “Space Sweepers” And “Elysium”

Abstract

The cinematographic narrative method presents the changes and transformations in urban life with a critical approach, and solutions to the future urban problems are investigated in a different discipline. Thus, the present study aimed to compare and analyze Space Sweepers and Elysium based on urban and social elements included in these movies to reflect on futuristic urban representations in movies. The two films share a future where the consequences of the climate crisis is experienced in societies with a wide gap between the social classes. Based on the visual narrative employed in the movies, the concept of livable city was redefined, and future problems were investigated based on the relationship between the human and life. In the paper, futuristic urban representations were analyzed based on the transformations in the dystopian narrative. It was determined that while the transformation could lead to positive outcomes in human life, it could render the cities less livable, lead to social distances, isolate individuals, alter and transform the concept of urban spaces, which would be dominated by digital technologies.