Today’s movie, where water wars are raging, is “Young
Ones”, set in post-apocalyptic southwestern United States, where water is a
scarcity. The cinematography reminds me of a John Ford movie set in the
southwestern deserts, with fantastic dry landscapes and big sweeping skies. I
learned the movie was actually filmed in South Africa, close to where our
Linnaeus apostle, Carl Peter Thunberg, conducted his botanical research.
The story is told in three acts (one for each of the main male characters), and revolves around the Holms family farm. The once
fertile land is now dry and fallow because of a long running drought. Ernest
Holms dreams of bringing it back to life, but ekes out a living delivering
alcohol to workers who are building a water pipeline for corporate farms. His teenage
son and daughter, Jerome and Mary, live with him on the farm, and his paralyzed
wife is institutionalized. Mary is courted by neighbor, Flem Lever, who has his
eye on the family farm for his own purposes. The final character in the story is
Sim, a robotic “work horse” that is key to the unfolding drama as they all try
to survive in the harsh dry environment.
Science fiction is a great vehicle for exploring some of the
great “what ifs” of our times. What if water was so scarce that everything
revolved around controlling it, or obtaining it? What if only the rich and
powerful had access to resources? How would we adapt; how would we live? The filmmaker’s vision of how life might be included shipping container
inspired houses; unique ways to clean using dirt and air; and a spare, violent approach
to life, with some technology and gadgets. I especially loved the grand landscapes,
rich with beauty even without water. Watch the trailer (click “Watch Trailer”):
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2693664/
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