The relationship between power and space in dystopian films (Examples of Equilibrium and THX 1138)

This study aims to address the relationship between power and space in dystopian films. Dystopias produce dark utopias about the future through the criticism of the period they are in. Although it has become difficult to distinguish between utopia and dystopia, what is meant to be explained with the concept of dystopia during the thesis is black-gray fictions that are expected to be experienced at a certain or uncertain time in the future. Even though the future is fictionalized in dystopias, they carry the traces of the period they lived in and often contain answers to the question of what could happen if the current order continues like this. The reason for choosing dystopias is that it is thought that the power-space relationship is more observable than other cinema films, due to the fact that they contain agenda criticism. The data collected in this research, which was carried out within the framework of the qualitative research method, were analyzed within the framework of Cristian Metz's Semiotics theory. In the selection of the sample, purposive sampling not based on probability was used. In this framework, the films Equilibrium (2002), directed by Kurt Wimmer, and THX 1138 (1971), directed by George Lucas, were evaluated and interpreted in terms of the relationship between power and space, taking into account the content and discourses. In the first part, the conceptual and theoretical background is given; In the second part, semiotic analysis of the films was made by making explanations about the method and analysis. Before these films were decided, 35 dystopian films were examined and two science fiction dystopias were selected, which were thought to be the best examples of intelligibility of the subject. In addition, other sources (articles, theses, dystopian novels and serials, etc.) used during the thesis process were used where necessary and references were made to these sources. In this context, 12 dystopian novels and 4 TV series with dystopian elements were examined. During the analysis, the changes and uses of these indicators throughout the film were observed, taking into account the elements such as the frame, use of color, costume, and music that make up the cinematic space. In particular, it was tried to reach the indicators about power and space and the relationship between power and space was discussed with detailed visuals.