Long Walk-A glimpse into a dystopian future.

Dystopia

This film offers an interesting take on a dystopian future. I must admit if you see little or no hope in the coming days, or if your natural tendency is to predict decline after so much of a rise, these types of movies and shows will appeal to you. How do people see their world after natural disasters, wars (especially those of a nuclear nature) and epidemics? This is an exploration of the second case.

A war-ravaged America seeks to inject a dose of Hope into its citizenry through a competition that has the young participants walk a long distance where only one can win the prize of money and one wish. 

Casting

The choice of actors is also amazing. The variety of characters and the role each plays in the bigger picture is worth exploring. 

The standout person for me is Southerner complete with brawl although the depth of blackness is rather suspect. He feels a lot more South Sudanese which might turn out to be a perfect portrayal. Many not all of the young people in South Sudan have gone through some sort of perilous migration through desert-like landscapes ridden with wild creatures mainly to better lives in Kenya or Uganda. 

Then there is the super focused, angry and triggering young long haired lad who takes great delight in angering his mates in the race. This could end up being tragic for him and those who happen to fall under his gaze or grip. 

If you think the production is about a simple long distance walk, you are wrong. The dialogue and the friendships, alliances and more that are created through the walk present for a great story. 

Streaming in bleakness

The fact that even in this grim time in the future, the whole event is being streamed also makes for interesting viewing. The use of mandane yet necessary tasks such as the natural call to nature adds another layer to this complex movie. 

While the contestants struggle through the competition it is easy to identify with some if not all of those involved. You get the sense that the show is giving you a slice of American social life at least bits and pieces of the cultures as they exist in the land of promise. 

The Common Thread of banned books

A Japanese American, an African American, A Writer, A geek with a weird sense of humor and one from original nations. 

Akin to quite a few shows that focus on America’s dystopian future, you learn of a time when the study of previously notable philosophical works is forbidden in its place is a set of laws that favor the flawed system and keep it firmly in place. 

Task- Snickerdoodle@yahoo.com and emotional Eater

If there is any show that helped lend credence and meaning to the value of the struggle against injustice and the interconnectedness of everything including the possibility of rot in our justice systems, Prison Break is it. How one brother examines the state of things and determines he must be incarcerated to rescue his brother and how season after season those who have known themselves to be on the right side of the law must bend the same to redeem themselves and how others both innocent and not so innocent struggle to make the best of their lives outside the system. 

I have a feeling at least as far as this first showing has gone, Task also is dealing with the same challenges. 

An aged agent Tom Brandis formerly a priest finds himself at the helm of a rag tag group of recruits trying to solve a spate random looking robberies in a small town. That is not enough though, he must also confront a few challenges on the home front regarding his fractured or splitting family. He does this while at the same time struggling with the almighty bottle. 

Then there is the unimposing garbage man who uses his job as an opportunity to stake out who is doing what in the neighborhood so that he can fuel his need for cash and a better life for his family. Is he in over his head is the questions we will find ourselves asking as he deals with biker gangs with their no uncompromising hierarchical manic devotion to their cause. Add in a few crooked cops and a history of coverups and you have yourself some interesting entertainment. There are questions about loyalty, trust, brotherhood, friendship, hate, betrayal and hope with additional gems of wisdom about life and the preservations of memory. The story reeks of an Eastern Aesthetic though with much too much death and tragedy for a western audience used to happily ever afters.  

I love the the way the members of the task force and introduced hence the title of the post, with the quirky love seeking and messy snickerdoodle Lizzy Stover and the strict and to the point (sharp shooter) always on point Aleah Clinton as well as the loyal Anthony Grasso.