Humanity In The Context Of Apocalyptic Cinema

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Megan Sheehan English 243 Final Understanding Humanity in the Context of Apocalyptic Cinema The concept of an approaching apocalypse serves as a source of both terror and fascination within global society. Apocalyptic films such as Lars von Trier’s Melancholia and Roland Emmerich’s 2012 have received increasing amounts of media attention caused by humanity’s innate inclination to witness its own destruction. This is not to say that those intrigued by these films necessarily want the world to end so much as they want to be prepared and aware in the chance that it does. The depictions of apocalypse shown in Melancholia and 2012 provide viewers with a frame of reference for handling situations they'd otherwise have no allusions to. For …show more content…

Freud suggests that one who suffers from depression appears to be unconsciously mourning over a loss or absence of someone or something, and in terms of melancholia, one will identify with the object that abandons them. (Bradbury 216) In this regard the planet Melancholia fills the absence within Justine's life and suggests that it's presence is what she has been longing for. In Justine's eyes the world is an evil entity whose extinction is a welcomed means for providing relief from the sorrows faced by it's existence. In the film Justine is shown lying naked on the bank of a stream, seemingly bathing herself in the planet’s captivating glow, in love with the idea of her own demise. Even in the very last seconds of mankind's existence Justine remains calm and welcoming of the end, keeping her eyes open the entire …show more content…

This film centers around the prediction of the world ending in 2012 actually coming true. Upon watching the film it is obvious that the director’s primary goal was to generate a high level of sensation surrounding the oncoming of such an apocalypse. The film proves successful in reaching this goal through the substantial use of explosions and impressive special effects which seem to permeate the film. Contrary to the artistic approach toward the end of the world seen in Melancholia, the movie 2012 employs a much simpler storyline surrounding its apocalypse which subjects it to the global appeal characteristic of Hollywood

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