UNAIR NEWS – The atmosphere created by the post-apocalyptic film contrasts with the child characters. Even so, apparently, not a few Apocalyptic films make child characters important in building the story. This interesting discussion was reviewed in DECOTA: Film Studies Lecture Series held by the Cinema Studies course, Communication Studies Department, Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR).
Assoc. Prof. Debbie Olson, an academic from Missouri Valley College, explained that child characters in post-apocalyptic films usually represent hope and optimism. “Post-apocalyptic films usually raise themes that are directly related to the survival of mankind in the future. In this situation, the emergence of a child character becomes a hope that gives strength to keep fighting,” she explained.
In Train to Busan (2016), a child character named Soo-An is described as the protagonist who then, through her behavior awakens her father to be unselfish. Soo An becomes a character who provides moral direction, in contrast to his father’s character throughout the film. “The scene in this film highlights Soo An’s selfless innocence, which eventually becomes an important factor when her bitten father commits suicide before becoming a zombie,” she said.
In the activity held last Friday, October 15, Debbie also discussed the role of children in the film The Girl with All the Gifts directed by Colm McCarthy. According to her, this film is complex and has a multi-layered narrative in highlighting key scenes in childhood. Similar to most films, the role of children has functioned as a symbol of hope for humanity that can survive. “With the role of children here, depicting the apocalypse will not end the world but will regenerate what is good and pure in the old world,” she said.
Closing the material, Debbie said that the perspectives of several films raised in the material were only a small example of the many Apocalyptic films involving children. “These films are just small samples of many apocalyptic films that are shown, the special relationship children have with post-apocalyptic conditions, from disasters and the fear of death and decay, to the loss of all connections or the possible end of humanity,” she concluded. *)
Author: Stefanny Elly
Editor : Khefti Al Mawalia
