Post-Apocalyptic Images in Cinema: A Structural-Semiotic Narrative Analysis of Len Wiseman's Total Recall

Abstract

Structuralist-semiotic film analysis posits that films can be understood as a system of signs with structural integrity. In this form of analysis, which focuses on concepts such as codes, signs, denotations and connotations, metaphor and metonymy, an approach is taken that will reveal the ideology and myths created in the deeper layers of the films. The narrative conventions and genre codes that are inherent to the cinematic medium provide a foundation for a systematic analysis that considers intertextuality, particularly within the science fiction genre. In this context, the film Total Recall (2012), directed by Len Wiseman, can be considered a remake and adaptation. As a post-apocalyptic text in which the world is transformed and renewed by a catastrophe, it offers insights into the future of humanity in the present era. Qualitative descriptive genre analysis was integrated into structuralist-semiotic narrative analysis to examine the film in question. The film was selected as a purposive sample for the study and was analyzed through the headings of the narrative elements of cinema. Consequently, the film addresses several contemporary issues, including the distress caused by modern life, the crisis in the family unit between spouses, the surveillance society and the desire for novelty. These are discussed in the context of the film, which presents a relatively liberal discourse on matters such as the ideal structure of the family and methods of distress management. Additionally, the film attempts to establish a more balanced relationship between exploiter and exploited, moving towards a more democratic and egalitarian model.

Keywords

• Science Fiction
• Structuralism
• Semiotics
• Intertextuality
• Genre

Sinemada Post-Apokaliptik İmgeler: Len Wiseman’ın Total Recall Filmi Üzerine Yapısal-Göstergebilimsel Bir Anlatı Analizi

Abstract

Yapısalcı-göstergebilimsel film çözümlemeleri filmleri yapısal bir bütünlük taşıyan göstergeler sistemi olarak kabul etmektedir. Çeşitli kodlar, göstergeler, yan anlam ve düz anlam, metafor, metonomi gibi kavramların ön plana çıktığı bu çözümleme biçiminde, filmlere onların daha derin katmanında yer alan ideolojisini ve yarattığı mitleri de açığa çıkaracak bir çözümleme perspektifiyle yaklaşılmaktadır. Sinemadaki türlerin getirdiği anlatısal uylaşımlar ve türsel kodlar, özellikle bilimkurgu türünde metinlerarasılığı da gözeterek sistematik bir analiz imkânı sunmaktadır. Bu bağlamda Len Wiseman’ın yönettiği Total Recall (2012) filmi, bir yeniden çevrim ve uyarlamadır ve dünyanın felaketle dönüşüm geçirdiği, yenilendiği bir post-apokaliptik metin olarak insanlığın geleceğine yönelik bugüne ilişkin bazı yansıtmalarda bulunmaktadır. Analizde yapısalcı-göstergebilimsel anlatı çözümlemesine nitel betimsel tür analizi entegre edilmiş ve çalışmanın amaçlı örneklem olarak ele aldığı film sinemanın anlatı unsurları başlıkları üzerinden çözümlenmiştir. Sonuç olarak modern hayatın yarattığı iç sıkıntısı, eşler arasında yaşanan aile krizi, gözetim toplumu ve yenilik istenci filmin arka planında tartışılan konulardır ve film ailenin nasıl olması gerektiği, sıkıntıdan kurtulma gibi konularda görece liberal özgürlükçü bir söylem üretmekte, sömüren ve sömürülen ilişkisine daha demokratik ve eşitlikçi bir düzlemde denge getirmeye çalışmaktadır.

Keywords

• Bilimkurgu
• Yapısalcılık
• Göstergebilim
• Metinlerarasılık
• Tür

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