[Frameworks] portrayals of "the future" in animation and experimental film?

[Gene Youngblood]

Some uninvited comments and observations, for what they’re worth: 

1. Probably more than 99% of all “future” narratives are either unimaginative dystopias (the author has no vision of how things might be better) or they are uncritical New Age utopias. 

2. The phrase “unimaginative dystopia” is redundant because dystopia is unimaginative by definition.
 
3. Utopia is desire for transformation at the root, which means it’s radical desire (radix = root). No desire is naive. Only expectations are naive.

4. Never predict, always prescribe or keep quiet.

5. Dystopias are predictions, because people without vision don’t know what to prescribe; uncritical utopias are nothing but wish-pictures. 

6. The value of the desire called utopia is that it begs the question, how do we get from here to there? What would have to happen to bring about transformation at the root? That’s the vision few have and all of us need, especially now. 

7. I personally would never expose children to dystopias or wish-pictures without framing them in a radical political context that starts the kids thinking about how to get from here to there. If you don’t do that, it’s just entertainment. 

8. A prime example of unimaginative dystopia rendered with great artistic imagination is Chris Marker’s La Jetee. Never forget that he was an old left radical.


On January 12, 2017 at 2:54:57 PM, Stephen Anker (sanker at calarts.edu) wrote:

Hi Stephanie,
Sheila Sofian (USC) has more than one animated film that deals with abuse, among other issues.
ssofian at cinema.usc.edu 
Suzan Pitt's Joyless Street deals with depression, although that might be too far afield.
Check with me again in case I think of others.
Best, Steve Anker


On Thu, Jan 12, 2017 at 1:42 PM, Stephanie Hutin <Stephanie_Hutin at pitzer.edu> wrote:
Hello,

I am teaching an experimental animation class with a social justice focus this semester. We will be creating a touring program for children around the theme of "The Future". I plan to start our first day (Thursday 1/19) with some free-writing about their thoughts on the future, followed by some examples of what artists in experimental cinema and animation have made in their vision. Any films that you think may fit my lesson, would be much appreciated as well. Thank you!

Best,
Stephanie



Stephanie Hutin
Director of Production
Intercollegiate Media Studies
Mosbacher Gartrell Center for Media Experimentation and Activism
Pitzer College
1050 North Mills Ave., West Hall
Claremont, CA 91711
909.607.3889


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