MovieChat Forums > Cloud Atlas (2012) Discussion > cannibalism theme (spoilers)

cannibalism theme (spoilers)

posted 9 years ago by jleslie48
5 replies | jump to latest

first off, the title of this thread shouldn't be deemed a spoiler since it shows up in the first few minutes of the movie.
Is there a reference to cannibalism in each segment? I can see its in the first (1849 opening scene) and the one from 2012 mentions soylent green, the one from 2144 it IS soylent green, and the far off future one it is a central theme with the hugh grant tribe, but what about he 1936 and 1973? Did I miss it or is it not there?

[–] SillyGayBoy 9 years ago

I didn't notice any. So much to this movie.

[–] angelgurl2843 9 years ago

In 1936 the older composer tries to steal the younger one's work and in 1976 the owner of the nuclear power plant doesn't care that the reactor is going to melt down and kill thousands of people so long as he benifits from it financially. I think because those are more "civilized" times, the act of consumption of something that isn't theirs is considered carnivorous. It all has to do with that saying, "The weak are meat and the strong do eat." I don't know, I could be wrong though.

[–] Farshnoshket 9 years ago

I believe the cannibalism element of the film shows an arc of humanity, where we came from and if we are not careful, where we may head. During more civilized times there is no cannibalism, but using the term 'Soylent Green' helps to connect the times together.

While different subject matter comes up in several of the stories I don't believe there is any reason to touch on each story. That might be seen as over doing it. It's a tangled weave, not a perfect one, just like life.

[–] jleslie48 9 years ago

thanks everyone. some really good ideas so far.

[–] rgchapman1 9 years ago

Soylent Green was released in 1973.
I cannot think of a non-nazi related cultural reference for 1936.

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