John W. Whitehead: Orwell Cinema: Living in the Land of the Blind

"If you want a picture of the future, imagine a boot stamping on a human face." --George Orwell It has been 60 years since George Orwell published his novel 1984 . Described as political satire, it is, in reality, a political prophecy. 1984 portrays a global society of total control in which people are not allowed to have thoughts that in any way disagree with the corporate state. There is no personal freedom. Snitches and surveillance cameras are everywhere. And people are subject to the Thought Police, who deal with anyone guilty of such thought crimes. The government, or "Party," is headed by Big Brother who appears on posters everywhere with the words: "Big Brother is watching you." Orwell's story revolves around Winston Smith, a member of the Outer Party. When Winston meets and falls in love with Julia, they begin seeing each other secretly, thus embarking on an illegal relationship. They are eventually arrested by the Thought Police and placed into reprogramming. Much of what ... [link]