The Wandering Earth 3 and the Search for a New Social Order: AChinese Critic’s Perspective
By Guo Songmin, Independent Commentator
The The Wandering Earth series, a popular Chinese science fiction film franchise, has captured the imagination of audiences worldwide with its stunning visuals and epic scope. However, Guo Songmin, a prominent Chinese critic, argues that the series has yet to fully explore the potential of science fiction to address crucial social and political issues.
In a recent article published on the website Wuyou Zhixiang, Guo Songmin delves into the director Guo Fan’s comments on the lying flat phenomenon among young Chinese, a trend characterized by apathy and disillusionment with thepursuit of traditional success. Guo Fan expressed his desire to tackle this issue in The Wandering Earth 3, not through simplistic solutions but through a more nuanced approach.
Guo Songmin praises Guo Fan’s ambition but points out that Hollywoodscience fiction films often serve as apologists for the capitalist system. He argues that these films portray space colonization as a solution to the problems of capitalism, thus reinforcing the status quo.
He cites the Alien franchise, directed by James Cameron, as an example. In this series, the protagonist, Ripley,faces constant danger from alien creatures but ultimately returns to a world dominated by corporate interests. Guo Songmin suggests that this narrative reinforces the idea of capitalism as an immutable force, even in the face of existential threats.
Guo Songmin criticizes the The Wandering Earth series for failing to fully engage with the potential of science fiction toexplore alternative social models. He points to the scene in The Wandering Earth 2 where older astronauts are ordered to sacrifice themselves to save the moon. He argues that this scene, while intended to portray heroism, instead evokes a sense of fascism and ageism, ultimately undermining the film’s message.
He contraststhis with the depiction of sacrifice in the 1998 film Armageddon. In this film, the crew of the spaceship Messiah chooses to sacrifice themselves to save Earth from a comet. This decision is portrayed as a heroic act rooted in American tradition and is presented as a collective choice, rather than aforced order.
Guo Songmin believes that The Wandering Earth could have incorporated Chinese revolutionary heroism into its narrative in a more subtle way. He suggests that a brief image of Dong Cunrui, a legendary Chinese hero who sacrificed himself to destroy an enemy bunker, could have been included in the film, subtly conveying thesource of the astronauts’ selflessness.
He further criticizes the portrayal of human society in The Wandering Earth 1, which depicts underground cities riddled with crime and corruption. He argues that this portrayal undermines the idea of humanity successfully surviving for 2500 years on a journey to a new solar system, especially given the challenges of maintaining social order and collective purpose over such an extended period.
Guo Songmin argues that technological advancements alone cannot solve the problems faced by young people today. He points to the rise of artificial intelligence and its potential to displace workers in various industries, leading to further social unrest. He believes that thesolution lies in the implementation of a socialist system, where production resources are owned collectively, empowering people to control their own destinies.
He concludes by questioning whether The Wandering Earth 3 will address these issues, offering a vision of a future that is both technologically advanced and socially just, one that aligns with China’shistorical and cultural values.
Guo Songmin’s article raises important questions about the role of science fiction in shaping our understanding of the future. It highlights the need for films to engage with complex social and political issues, offering not just escapist entertainment but also a vision of a better world. As The Wandering Earth3 prepares for release, audiences will be watching closely to see if it will rise to the challenge of addressing these critical issues.
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