TAN JIA HUI.

What is Utopia? It differs between people. Common perception about a Utopian society usually revolve around wealth, health, fairness and peace. Often, it also involves the idea of kinship; of having loved ones around to share both sadness and happiness together.

 

Our belief in a Utopian society stems from kinship. We believe that spending time with your loved ones is what truly brings happiness to a person’s life. Our belief of Dystopia is not knowing what is most important to you. Many people are obsessed with the idea of ownership of property as it is often a sign of status. They feel a sense of thrill when opening their delivery boxes. However, this sense of excitement is short-lasting. Thus, they would continue to buy, and the cycle repeats itself. By surrounding yourself with all these purchases, could you truly be happy?

 

In the film, the idea of Utopia and Dystopia is shown through our protagonist, Sarah. For Sarah, her Utopia is her family and her Dystopia were her perception of what she thought to be most important. Like most teenagers, Sarah is obsessed with the idea of ownership. It causes her to buy more but it seems to never be enough for her. Her parents disapproved of her spending habits and had tried to persuade her to change her habits but to no avail. As a result, it has caused a strain to their relationship. As days passed, her room looks more like a storage room with all kinds of shopping bags and delivery boxes lying around. When she does not have enough money to spend, she always borrow from her friends.

 

One day, as she was checking out of an online shop, she realises that her bank balance is reflecting a $0.00. She tries to borrow money from her friends. However, all of them demanded her to pay them back the money that she owes. She realised that she is unable to pay them back due to the lack of money. Will she manage to get herself of this mess she created?

 

Through this short film, we want to question the idea of whether a person’s perceived Utopia is a Utopia or Dystopia. The film begins with the idea that the world of consumerism is the Utopia as it is thought to be the solution to personal happiness and satisfaction. As time passes, the person is unknowingly exchanging more valuable things in their life for this short-lasting happiness. This is when the perception of consumerism as a Utopia changes as the act of consumerism does not allow for the continuation of happiness. At the end of the film, we hope to show that the act of consumerism should not be one’s utmost priority.