Sonia Ward Blade Runner Postmodern Post modernity is a movement that reacts or rejects the principles and elements

s of modernism or carrying these to their extremes. For example, before postmodernity we had modernism during this period artist experimented with the representation of reality. After we have postmodernism; postmodernism challenges the idea of representation and plays around with it through pastiche, parody, and intertextual references. A prime example of a postmodern film is Ridley Scotts Blade Runner (1982) which incorporates many conventions of post modernity. One of the biggest elements of postmodernism present in the film is simulacra (Baudrillard) which is evident in the replicants that were created by humans, specifically Tyrell Corporation. The replicants are imitations of humans, obtaining almost identical characteristics except they have superior strength, they are intelligent and emotionally impaired. Therefore, throughout the entire film the audience are left confused as we try to identify who is human and who is not; so much so, it is difficult to decide whether the main character Rick Deckard (Harrison Ford) is human or a replicant, as our perception of reality as an audience is regularly overpowered/confused with the possible imitations/illusions of reality that is conveyed. Such ideas are evident in the scene where Rachael (Sean Young) questions Deckard on whether or not he has passed the Voight-Kampff test; however, Deckard never gives us an answer leaving us to continue questioning. Another aspect in Blade Runner is the fact that post modernity is wary of the future and therefore continuously refers back to the past which is evident in the film. This is because throughout the film it is difficult for the audience to distinguish the time in which the film is set, even though it states it is set in the year 2019, it includes a lot of nostalgic elements. An example of this is when we are introduced to the character Rachael who dresses in 50s style fashion, different to what we would perceive fashion to be in the future. Additionally, the film continually incorporates a noir theme throughout in terms of lighting (evident when Deckard is in his house) and 40s film noir music that is used throughout. In contrast, postmodern film is also known for pushing the boundaries of the present day which is evident through the developed methods of transport (flying cars) and the idea that humans can build and create human-like robots. The perception of the future also includes intertextual links in terms of a vast amount of advertisements crowding the city e.g. an electronic billboard of Coca Cola; this signifies the idea that many people believe that in the future we will become a consumerist world. However, there are aspects of Blade Runner that could signify that it is not postmodern. An example of this is that Blade Runner includes elements of modernism which is clear in the class system that is evidently present throughout in terms of the replicants living in the city are of a lower class as their superiors are their creators which are the humans

therefore they are considered the higher class. The idea is apparent in terms of jobs; nonreplicants are seen working in jobs such as the police force, whereas replicants are seen working in jobs like exotic dancers (reference to the character Zhora). This could be considered a modern theme as the class system is something that is still present today and was present for audiences who would have watched the film when it was released in 1982. Additionally, there is a religious parallel here with Tyrell being God (the creator) and the replicants are what he has created in the image of man. Overall, I think that Blade Runner is postmodern, as one way to identify a postmodern film is to look at when it was set, this is because postmodernity in general and in film does not have a defined era which is apparent in Blade Runner like stated before it incorporates signifiers of the past and extreme ideas of the future; therefore, becoming difficult to define the time. Additionally, the film includes the elements and ideas of postmodern theorists such as Fredric Jameson (simulacra) and Jean Baudrillard (Hyperreality) combining these points is what I ultimately believe makes the film postmodern.