TheAgitator.com
Harrison Bergeron, the film
Friday, August 15th, 20082081: Everyone Will Finally Be Equal. Trailer and more info at the site:
Based on the short story Harrison Bergeron by celebrated author Kurt Vonnegut, 2081 depicts a dystopian future in which, thanks to the 212th Amendment to the Constitution and the unceasing vigilance of the United States Handicapper General, everyone is finally equal… The strong wear weights, the beautiful wear masks and the intelligent wear earpieces that fire off loud noises to keep them from taking unfair advantage of their brains. It is a poetic tale of triumph and tragedy about a broken family, a brutal government, and an act of defiance that changes everything.
Featuring an original score performed by the world-renowned Kronos Quartet (Requiem for a Dream) and narration by Academy Award Nominee Patricia Clarkson (Far From Heaven, Goodnight and Good Luck), 2081 stars James Cosmo (Braveheart, Trainspotting, Narnia), Julie Hagerty (Airplane!, What About Bob?) and Armie Hammer (Justice League).
Via Caleb Brown.
Awesome. But hopefully the scoring isn’t just Kronos Quartet, as awesome as they are. Requiem was Kronos Quartet and Clint Mansell.
Meanwhile in the real world 31% of Americans want the government to monitor websites and make sure they present ‘balanced’ commentary:
http://rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/general_politics/47_favor_government_mandated_political_balance_on_radio_tv
This has been my favorite Vonnegut piece since I was a teenager. I’m glad to see it’s making it to the screen.
Unfortunately, I fear the message will be lost on the American public at large. A Brave New World seems to be the evolving paradigm for the 21st century… Most are content to be entertained and fed on a regular basis in exchange for a nose-ring and a leash.
This was required reading for us 25+ years ago in high school. But in talking to several of my younger relatives and friends about this great piece of literature, I was met with only blank deer-in-the-headlights stares. Same with Slaughterhouse Five. Maybe if it starred some bigger celebrities, or if there was some frontal nudity, or if it was made into a reality show and put on network TV, people would wake up and start taking our current state of affairs more seriously. But I doubt it. As stated by someone above, it’s only the free bread and circuses that matter.
Gotta say, not exactly the kind of star-studded cast that would renew widespread public interest in the story.
I hope this comes to my city; I can’t wait to see it. It’s good to know this Moving Picture Institute (www.thempi.org) exists. On a related note, I see that Atlas Shrugged (which was to star Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt) is probably not going to see the light of day. This may be a good thing - I was wondering how Hollywood would mangle the story and try to cram it into a couple hours.
Fritz, just wait an see how the dictatorship in 2081 is anything but directly descended from contemporary commie nanny-statism.
– They pulled it off in “V”, so I have little reason to doubt they can do it again.
Because of some niggling differences between MD and CA college standards. I had to retake English 101 to be able to transfer from a CA junior college to Cal State-Fullerton. One of the stories assigned was “Harrison Bergeron.” I am pleased to report that most of my classmates–all of them half my age–got the point.
Am I the only one who remembers the TV movie? I especially remember “Lollipop” being played over the end (opening?) credits.
Anyone…?
The Club for Growth likes it too (as does RightMind), something for everyone.
Yo. Though as I recall it was part of a series of Showtime dramatizations, along with “The Euphio Question.” But yeah, now I remember the movie, which was actually named after the story (ooh, what a concept!)
I also remember a 1984 PBS adaptation of “Who Am I This Time?” with Christopher Walken and Susan Sarandon, both playing against type. Interesting score by John Cale, too.
I rather thought Bergeron was a satire of the entire dystopian genre. I’m probably wrong though.
I own the VHS of the movie “Harrison Bergeron” starring Sean Astin and Christopher Plummer. Too bad it isn’t available on DVD. I liked it. I thought it was better than the short story, which was quite short, if I remember from 10th grade correctly. I heard Vonnegut didn’t like the movie, though I don’t know why. It was unapologetically critical of political correctness and egalitarianism.
The idea of a equal society by handicap was earlier described by Vonnegut in The Sirens of Titan (1959).
Vonnegut, RIP
Carlin, RIP
I am an ideological orphan.
Anyone recall the short story about two parents who take their son in for a state mandated IQ exam? It was played out in a way that hinted if you were below standard, something bad happened. In the end, the boy scored above average, and was to be put down. Everyone had to be equal, good or bad.