Thursday, 21 March 2024

Movie screening: "1984" by George Orwell

 Hello Everyone,  Welcome to my blog, this blog is a thinking activity given by Dilipsir barad. In this blog i am going to discuss about the movie screening of the movie which is adapted from George Orwell's Novel 1985, Before That let me introduce you with George Orwell and the original novel "1984" in brief.





George Orwell:





George Orwell, born Eric Arthur Blair on June 25, 1903, was a renowned English novelist, essayist, journalist, and critic. He is best known for his dystopian novels "1984" and "Animal Farm," which have left an indelible mark on literature and political discourse.


Orwell's early life was marked by his experiences in colonial Burma, where he served as a police officer. These experiences profoundly influenced his later writings, shaping his views on imperialism, social injustice, and totalitarianism.


Throughout his career, Orwell was a staunch advocate for democratic socialism and an outspoken critic of totalitarian regimes, both left-wing and right-wing. His political convictions were reflected in his works, which often explored themes of oppression, propaganda, and the abuse of power.


"1984" (1949) remains Orwell's most famous work, portraying a dystopian society ruled by the omnipresent and oppressive Party led by Big Brother. The novel introduced concepts such as thoughtcrime, Newspeak, and doublethink, which have since become synonymous with totalitarianism and government surveillance. "1984" continues to resonate with readers as a chilling portrayal of the erosion of individual freedom and the manipulation of truth.


Orwell's non-fiction works, including "Homage to Catalonia" and "Down and Out in Paris and London," further showcased his keen observational skills and his commitment to social justice. He was uncompromising in his critique of totalitarianism, fascism, and the corruption of language for political purposes.


Beyond his literary contributions, Orwell's personal life was marked by his experiences during the Spanish Civil War, where he fought on the side of the Republicans against the fascist forces. His disillusionment with the infighting among leftist factions and the betrayal of the Republican cause by Stalinist forces further solidified his anti-authoritarian stance.


"1984":


"1984" is a dystopian novel written by George Orwell, published in 1949. Set in a totalitarian society ruled by the Party led by Big Brother, it follows the life of Winston Smith, a low-ranking member of the ruling Party.


The novel is set in a world of perpetual war, government surveillance, and thought control. Citizens are constantly monitored by telescreens and the Thought Police, who punish any form of dissent or independent thought as "thoughtcrime."


Winston rebels against the oppressive regime by secretly expressing his dissent through a forbidden relationship with Julia and by keeping a journal where he records his rebellious thoughts. However, he is eventually captured by the Party and subjected to intense psychological manipulation and torture in the Ministry of Love.


Through Winston's journey, Orwell explores themes of totalitarianism, propaganda, surveillance, and the manipulation of truth. The Party's slogan "War is Peace, Freedom is Slavery, Ignorance is Strength" reflects the inversion of reality and the distortion of language to maintain control over the population.


The novel culminates in Winston's complete surrender to the Party's authority, as he comes to love Big Brother despite his earlier resistance. "1984" serves as a chilling warning about the dangers of unchecked government power and the erosion of individual freedom in the face of totalitarianism.


Orwell's depiction of a dystopian future continues to resonate with readers, inspiring discussions about government surveillance, propaganda, and the importance of safeguarding civil liberties. "1984" remains a timeless classic, reminding us of the fragility of freedom and the importance of remaining vigilant against threats to democracy.


Click here to read the Novel "1984"


Worksheet:


In this Worksheet, I am answering the questions from the worksheets based on George Orwell's '1984,' providing clarity and understanding with the help Of ChatGPT.




Pre- screening:


1. Have you read the novel "1984" by George Orwell? If yes, what did you think of it? If no, what do you know about the story?


Ans:


Yes i am Familiar with "1984" by George Orwell is a gripping dystopian novel that delves into a future where a totalitarian government, represented by the Party and its figurehead Big Brother, monitors and manipulates every facet of its citizens' lives. Through its exploration of themes like surveillance, propaganda, and the erosion of personal liberties, the book offers a chilling reflection on the dangers of unchecked power and the fragility of freedom.


2. you watched any adaptations of "1984" before? If yes, which ones and what did you think of them? If no, what do you expect from this adaptation? 


Ans:


Yes, i have watched The movie version of "1984" stayed true to the book, showing its world vividly. Watching the film after reading the book made the story even more powerful by showing it visually. There have been a few movie and TV versions of "1984," like the one directed by Michael Radford in 1984 and a BBC version from 1954. People generally liked these adaptations because they captured the book's dark themes and intense atmosphere well.


3.What themes or ideas do you think are central to "1984"? Why?


Ans:


Here's the some ideas and themes which i think are central to "1984".


Government Control: The book warns about powerful governments that control everything and everyone.


Always Watched: In "1984," people are always watched by the government, raising questions about privacy and freedom.


Language Matters: The government changes language to control how people think, showing how powerful words can be.


Truth or Lies: The book shows how truth can be twisted by those in power, making it hard to know what's real.


Individual vs. Society: The main character struggles to be himself in a world that wants everyone to be the same, showing the importance of staying true to yourself.


Part 2: Screening


1. As you watch the film, take note of any major differences from the novel. How do these changes affect the story?



Ans:


As I watch the film, I'll be keeping an eye out for any significant departures from the novel. Any changes in plot, character development, or themes will likely affect my understanding and enjoyment of the story. If the alterations stay true to the essence of the book and enhance its message, I'll appreciate them. However, if they stray too far from the source material or dilute its core themes, it might impact my overall satisfaction with the adaptation.In the book, Winston and Julia visit O'Brien together seeking to join the Brotherhood, but in the film, Winston goes alone, removing the vulnerability and intensity of the scene, affecting the story's flow.



2.How does the film's visual style and cinematography contribute to the story? What mood or tone does it create?


Ans:


The way the film looks and how it's filmed help create the mood and feeling of the story. The lighting, colors, and camera angles make the world of "1984" seem dark and scary, showing how the government controls everything. The close-up shots and tight framing make you feel like the characters are trapped and watched all the time. The visuals make you feel tense and uneasy, just like the characters in the story who are fighting against the government's control. Overall, the way the film is filmed makes you feel like you're really in the world of "1984" and helps tell the story in a powerful way.



3.Compare the portrayal of the main characters in the film to your mental image of them from the novel. How are they similar or different?


Ans:


After watching the film, I noticed that the appearance of the main characters, like Winston and Julia, may not match the mental images I had from reading the book. For example, Winston's look in the film might not match how I imagined him based on the book's descriptions. Similarly, Julia's demeanor and physical traits on screen might differ from what I pictured while reading.


However, despite these visual differences, the key traits and personalities of the main characters should stay consistent between the film and the novel. For instance, Winston's resistance against the oppressive government and Julia's strong-willed and independent nature should still be recognizable in both versions.


In the end, even though the characters may look different in the film compared to what I imagined while reading, it's important to focus on their core characteristics and how they contribute to the story's themes and message.


4.What elements from the novel did the film adaptation include or exclude? Were there any major plot points that were left out?


From what I noticed while watching the film adaptation of "1984," it included the important parts of the story, like Big Brother's rule and Winston's rebellion. However, some details seemed different or missing. For example, certain things felt simpler in the movie, and some smaller stories or characters from the book weren't there. Also, while the main characters seemed similar, their thoughts and feelings weren't as clear as they were in the book.


Part 3: Post-Screening


1.What do you think are the strengths and weaknesses of this film adaptation? How does it compare to other adaptations of "1984"?


Ans:



 The film makes you feel like you're in the same scary world as the book, making it feel real.itShows the scary world of "1984".The way the film looks helps you understand the big ideas of the story, like the government watching everyone and people fighting back.The actors make you care about the characters and what happens to them, making the story more interesting.


Some parts of the story might be too simple in the movie, making it less interesting. Some scenes that are really important in the book might be different in the movie, which can change how you feel about the story.While the movie is good, it might not be as good as other versions that stay closer to the book or tell the story in a more interesting way.


Overall, while the movie is good at showing the world of "1984" and making us care about the characters, it might not be as good as other versions that stick closer to the book or tell the story in a more interesting way.


2.How successful was the film in conveying the central themes and ideas of the novel? Were there any aspects that the film failed to capture?


Ans:


The movie does a great job of showing the important ideas from the book, like the government's control and the power of propaganda. Right from the start, you see things like the telescreens and Big Brother posters, which show how the government is always watching. The Two Minutes Hate scene is especially powerful, showing how easily people can be influenced by emotion. The constant propaganda on the telescreens also makes you feel like the government's control is everywhere. And when they use "The Theory and Practice of Oligarchical Collectivism" as propaganda, it shows just how much they want to control what people think.


3.What is your overall impression of the film? Would you recommend it to others? Why or why not?


Ans:


In my view, the film left a good impression on me. Despite some differences from the novel, it still managed to capture the eerie atmosphere and important themes of "1984" effectively. The actors' performances and the visual storytelling were strong, making it an engaging watch. I think it's worth recommending to others, especially if they enjoy thought-provoking dystopian stories or are fans of the book. However, I'd also suggest reading the novel to get a fuller understanding of the story and its themes.


Thank you.

Book Review: Not Here to Be Liked by Michelle Quach

“She never meant to start a movement. She just wanted what she earned.” Michelle Quach’s Not Here to Be Liked is a witty, sharp, and emotion...