By Lucy Hansen
Executive Features Editor
“2073,” directed by Asif Kapadia, is a science fiction docudrama set in a dystopian future in San Francisco. It was inspired by Chris Marker’s 1962 film La Jetteé. The film was first shown at the 81st annual Venice Film Festival in September 2024 and officially released in the United Kingdom on December 27th, 2024.
The lead character, portrayed by Samantha Morton, is mute and without a name, symbolizing the common experiences of the American population in 2073. The film alternates between her story and segments featuring political commentary from current-day journalists, alongside impactful real-world footage that highlights global injustices.
The movie received a 5.1 on IMDB and a 51% on Rotten Tomatoes. The worldwide gross was approximately $45,640, with $38,515 from international markets and $7,125 from the U.S. and Canada. Critics were not fans.
Audience reception for this film was mixed. Reviews showed that audiences think that, from a film perspective, the movie was very poorly made. In concept, the film was terrific, however in execution, the movie struggled in production and marketing. What was labeled as a dystopian sci-fi film was more of a reel of political commentary and videos from social media.
The film lacked substance and failed to provide a coherent plot or explain the actual cause of the destruction depicted. The storyline involving the nameless character felt incomplete and unnecessary, as it showcased more modern-day footage than the actual filmed portion of the movie.
However, I believe this was an intentional action from the director. Disguising the movie as a fictitious dystopian drama, and then filling it with current events and contemporary ideas to prove a point to the audience: that if political leaders keep running the world the way they have been, the world will experience some sort of dystopia.
The film’s lack of success at the box office also proves the director’s point, that people aren’t listening and dont care. The movie wasn’t supposed to be a world-class movie with amazing writing and a dense plot, it was supposed to be a period piece on modern-day issues and a warning of what they could lead to.
Overall, the film was entertaining, informative, and motivating. Kapadia successfully captured many of the pressing issues in today’s developed nations and highlighted the problematic affairs between leaders and social higher-ups. While it may not be the best-produced film, it’s certainly worth a watch if you’re looking for something thought-provoking.
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