Symbolism In Gattaca

How does Niccol present this world of the ‘not-too-distant-future’?

Andrew Niccol’s Gattaca presents an advanced world that seems realistic despite it being set in the “not-too-distant-future.’ The futuristic scene is set in such a way that the society holds elements and aspects of a traditional and mainstream community from the 1990s. Niccols’ inclusion of motifs throughout the film assist in the presentation of the futuristic world in which simple, recurring motifs such as blood and DNA, transport and perfection are used as templates to construct a complex criticism throughout the film.

Niccol’s inclusion of futuristic technology, residential amenities and the dichotomy between the standards of living for the valids in comparison to the

Considering a society in which myopia or obesity are direct signs of imperfect chromosomes, and lead to a path of discrimination, Gattaca underlines the importance of physical perfection as a necessity to survive in the futuristic world. Juxtaposing this with societal values in the 1990s, the obsession with physical perfection is still prevalent with the availability of plastic surgery, hair and makeup salons and protein powders and slimming pills, all to allowing individuals to achieve societies idea of perfection and thereby become a successful member and role model in society. Considering Eugene, who was engineered to be the ‘perfect human’, a “9.7, (…) a catch” yet he achieves only second place in his swimming race, showing Niccol’s belief that success is not guaranteed through DNA, imposing the idea that someone may always be better, faster and

The use of suits in the workplace and tracksuits for the gym-sessions are typical in both the ‘90s and Niccol’s ‘not-too-distant-future.’ The idea of a detective wearing a hat and a long trench coat, or a femme fatale wearing a risqué dress to a party reminds viewers of film noire, a popular concept in film during the 90’s. Whilst working at Gattaca, the employees are all presented wearing the same type of suits, presenting a uniformity in the workplace, likewise as the non-diagetic announcements presented over the speakers are spoken in Esperanto, a language, thought to become common in the 90’s society. Similarly the professional Irene wears a pant- suit to work, like her colleagues, and has her hair in a tight bun and her top-button closed at her throat represents a of her rigidness, strictness and determination in the workplace. The Irene who’s fallen for Jerome (Vincent) wears a back-less dress, dances, and drinks and keeps her hair open. She is the care- free romantic, the beautiful woman in love. The contrast between uniformity and individuality provides a social commentary on the goals of Niccol’s futuristic society, where each man is faceless and interchangeable, rather than unique. However, Niccol’s use of consistency between clothing and atmosphere corresponds to that of his futuristic world and of the ‘90s,