Although Children of men represent a dystopian society however, many scenes convey a message of hope and faith to the viewers. Firstly, Kee reveals that she is pregnant in a cowshed which has a Biblical meaning attached to it. Luke’s narrative describes an angel announcing the birth of Jesus to shepherds who then visit the humble site where Jesus is found lying in a manger, a trough for cattle fee.(Luke 2:8-20). Infertility in women could be used as a metaphor for the fading sense of hope. Therefore, the birth scene, especially after 18 years, plays an important role. The baby brings hope just as Jesus brought hope to this world. Additionally, a black woman gave birth to the child. As far as we know, human life sprang out of Africa. There is also the notion that the future of humanity resides on the dispossessed hence, arrival of a baby girl could be considered as a new beginning.
Jasper Palmer (Michael Caine), a former political cartoonist and Theo’s friend has a well-protected house monitored by video cameras. He takes care of his wife and the world that he creates around himself is a perfect example of a utopian society. He proposes getting Syd’s help in order to reach the Human Project. However, the Fishes trail the group to Jasper’s hideout, but Theo, Miriam, and Kee get away as Jasper stays behind and he sacrifices his life to save his friends. Another interesting point is that Jasper says “Shanti, shanti, shanti” which is also a common beginning and ending to all Hindu prayers and is also mentioned in the Upanishads, and literally means “peace,” referencing the invocation of divine intervention and rebirth through an end to violence. Moreover, according to the Upanishads once the Earth has reached an exhaustion point in terms of population, natural resources, pollution etcetera it will be destroyed and the next yuga or era would come into existence.
The concept of the Human Project is also Utopian. To communicate with the Human Project means talking to someone who talks to someone and so on. This forms a network of information and there is no one representative, and thus no bureaucracy or hierarchy. The project moves around on a converted fishing boat called Tomorrow. The Christian resistance used the fishing boat as a means of communicating solidarity. Being fishers of men also indicates that they only cast their lines to catch the truly human into their group and not corrupt like the Fishers.
The last/boat scene of the movie is really important because it provides a glimpse of possibility of hope and it allows the viewers to invest their own sense of hope into the ending. On the row boat, the interaction between Theo and Kee suggests a Utopian kinship. Boat is a symbol of the church bearing the faithful to salvation. Moses who was a religious leader, lawgiver and prophet according to the Hebrew Bible and Qur’an was found on a boat by an Egyptian princess and Jesus preached from a boat in Lake Galilee. Additionally, the ship named “Tomorrow” comes to the rescue of Kee which implies that in the midst of problems like immigration, infertility and war there lays a glimpse of hope.
So, what do you think guys?
Engaging Cinema at Tech 
The symbol of feminism specifically their gift of giving birth is foreseen throughout the different actions of the characters in the film. The power of childbirth, mother and midwives is stressed in the entire film.
We see this in the beginning of the film, when the leader of the movement is a striking women by the name of Julian Taylor, which symbolizes feministic rights and roles by putting a women of such caliber in such a position. Even in the end we see how the Marichka roll allows the protector and the child bearer to survive.
I would also like to touch on the fact that the savior of the human race is black, but let me stop talking about Obama, and get back to this blog post. LOL
I agree with the points made in this blog post. Not sure if this is grammatically correct but I want to play around with the idea of a “Utopian Person”. Kee embodies the “Utopian Person” being the the last woman on earth who can bear a child. Her life is far from good, but she has a gift and the ability to save the human race. That alone is enough to consider her a positive influence, or a new hope. The movie provides all the suspense and conflict by placing this “Utopian Person” into such a dystopian society. Her struggles for survival and comfort conflict heavily with her importance to the human race. Generally speaking one would think if this woman holds the key to the survival of the human race she would be protected and heavily praised. The fact that she is outcasted and hidden, makes this movie such an eye opener; the way her utopian characteristics are overpowered by this dystopian society is very interesting.
The person above me made a good point about the symbols of feminism in the movie. Although the main character was a man, there were very many important female characters in the movie, such as Julian Taylor. I wonder if there is any connection with Female leaders and a dystopian society. When society falls apart, is that when Women become leaders???? NOT MY OPINION. I LOVE WOMEN, but interesting to think about. None the less she was a strong and powerful leader and all of her plans were well thought out. Even in her death she was concerned with the safety of Kee, which shows her courage as a leader.
The religious symbolism in this film is also very evident. The original posting goes into great detail about this so i wont restate it, but in general like i said in class, if there is ever a baby floating in a boat down some body of water in a movie…. That baby is Important!
Thanks,
-Mike
I think I would have to disagree with Jasper’s house being Utopian. My primary reason is that it’s more of a hideout, a place where they can escape from the dystopian society, but it itself is far from a perfect society or perfect world. They have to keep themselves protected, and everyone on the outside is a danger to the home. I like to think that a Utopia refers to an entire world or society, not just a small group of a few people.
Also, while I definitely see how a great deal of the movie could be interpreted religiously, I don’t think it was the main goal of the director to have any religious overtones throughout the movie.
Another thing that I think is interesting to note is the very deliberate use of light to convey feelings of hope. The last scene is an obvious example, in which the light shining from the bouey amidst the endless fog creates a “light at the end of the tunnel” sort of illusion. Kee and her baby must literally “go toward the light” to reach salvation from the misery of the dystopian society from which they seek to escape. Then there are other, perhaps less obvious examples as well. For one, when the group reaches the old abandoned elementary school, the sunlight shining down over the building is almost blinding — a stark contrast with the dreary grey landscape to which the viewer has become accustomed to. Coupled with the far off sounds of children’s laughter, this conveys the strong message that children are, quite literally, humanities hope for the future. Only through them is there reason to hope — which is of course why Kee’s baby is such an appropriate symbol for the possibility of hope regained. Another example is the first time Theo sees Julian. She sits high up, looking down upon him, surrounded by a beam of bright, shining light that envelops her almost completely. This use of lighting creates a very dramatic illusion that is reminiscent of biblical portrayals of God’s angels–quite appropriate as Julian is the messenger of The Human Project, meant to bring hope to Theo and others around him.