The sci-fi entertainment masterpiece “Elysium” poignantly depicts the problems faced by the real world.

A unique work with a social satire theme

`` District 9 '', which marked director Neill Blomkamp's feature debut, has not faded and is still talked about a lot among movie fans. This is because the discrimination and disparity depicted in "District 9" has resurfaced in modern times.

The director uses a variety of depiction methods to present real-world issues, but the reality of social disparity in this film, Elysium, is depicted more simply than ever before. While ``District 9'' focused on people's unconsciously discriminatory behavior, ``Elysium'' focuses on the disparity between the poor who are impoverished by economic disparity and the rich who live a comfortable life, and the unreasonableness that accompanies it. You can see the pursuit of this.

“Elysium” (c) 2013 MRC II Distribution Company LP All Rights Reserved.

The Earth was on the brink of death due to the effects of extreme environmental destruction. The wealthy abandon this polluted Earth and move to the circular space colony settlement "Elysium". Inside the lush greenery of the colony, the wealthy live their lives as they wish. The remaining poor people on Earth have no way to reach Elysium, which is floating in satellite orbit. They have no choice but to live each day in hardship on Earth, which has become a poor environment. What's more, Elysium has highly developed medical technology. It is now possible to completely cure all kinds of illnesses, from minor fractures to severe leukemia and even high concentrations of radiation pollution.

Even medical care, which should be available to everyone, is being monopolized by Elysium privileges. As an aside, we should not forget that we Japanese people are treated the same as the citizens of Elysium in this work. Now, the main character Max da Costa (Matt Damon) and other poor people aim for the utopian land of Elysium floating in Earth's satellite orbit in search of this advanced medical technology. This can be seen as a metaphor for illegal immigration, which is becoming recognized as an international problem.

“Elysium” (c) 2013 MRC II Distribution Company LP All Rights Reserved.

An underground organization based on Earth heads for Elysium overhead in a small boat. The small boat avoids attacks from Elysium and makes an emergency landing inside the colony, but is forcibly returned to Earth due to crackdowns by the Elysium authorities. The scene is reminiscent of real-life immigration. Smuggling in search of a utopia is reminiscent of illegal immigration on the U.S.-Mexico border, and the U.S. is also trying to build a wall along this border. Indeed, this film foreshadows the current relationship between the United States and Mexico, and unfolds the reality of disparity as science fiction.

Social issues and science fiction