Genres: Dystopian Bureaucracy Example

Brazil poster

For a recent workshop, I did a lot of research into dystopian fiction. Part of which meant rewatching Terry Gilliam’s 1985 classic Brazil. The film has nothing to do with the country, it's just a song that plays a lot in the background. It’s a film where you have to explain the title, but titles have never been Gilliam’s strong point. 

Brazil is a one man against the system comedy / tragedy set in a terrifying vision of the future. It is both a dystopian movie in it’s own right, but also a satire of dystopian movies. I’m a huge fan, but understand that some people dislike that it is trying to be too many things at once. 

But, anyway, there is one scene that I love as a satire on bureaucracy gone wild and the reluctance in such societies to take responsibility. Plus, there’s a slapstick take on surveillance culture. All in one short scene.

As a bonus, enjoy the nod to 1984’s oxymoronic slogans that opens the next scene.

Enjoy.