NATIONAL EVENT DAY screening of the 80s movie 1984 starring John Hurt Tickets

Recently, there has been a resurgence of interest in the classic dystopian movie “1984”. The reason for this renewed enthusiasm is because 2021 marks the year when the National Event Day screening of the 80s movie takes place. On this day, movie lovers will gather to watch the legendary film in theatres across the country.

In particular, one aspect that stands out about this movie is its comedic elements. The general perception of “1984” is that it is a dark and devastatingly intense film, but beneath the grim exterior, there are moments of satirical humor that are worth noting.

For starters, the character of Winston Smith, played by John Hurt, is an anti-hero who often finds himself caught up in situations that are completely absurd. For example, in one scene, he’s required to stand in front of his superiors and pretend that he loves Big Brother, which is both farcical and ominous at the same time.

Another comedic flair comes from the various slogans and goings-on that take place in the totalitarian society: they are so overblown and ridiculous that they are hard not to laugh at. In fact, many phrases from the movie (such as “Big Brother is watching you”) have entered into popular culture as tongue-in-cheek references to surveillance and authoritarianism.

Of course, the humor in “1984” is not solely for entertainment value. It is also a means of offering commentary on the events taking place. Through satire, the movie highlights the dangers of repressive government control and propaganda. It shows how such measures can lead to the erasure of individuality and freedom.

Perhaps most notably, “1984” uses humor as a form of resistance against oppressors. By laughing at the absurdities inherent in the projected future world, it ridicules the artificiality of their power structures. Thus, instead of feeling hopeless or despondent about the bleak future portrayed in the movie, there is a sense that if we can see it for what it is and refuse to take it seriously, then we have taken the first step towards deconstructing it.

In some ways, then, “1984” should be celebrated not only for its searing indictment of authoritarian regimes but also for its wit and incisive storytelling. After all, laughter has always been a powerful tool in times of political turmoil, which makes this classic film as relevant as ever today.