Cyber Swiped

 

        When viewing the first few scenes of Janelle Monáe's Dirty Computer, I was reminded of the many dystopian book series that have been turned into movies, especially when the robot police officer showed up. I was not sure where the film was going besides that Janelle and her friends were going to be resisting a restrictive, oppressive government force. Although I was not sure what was going to happen, I was intrigued to see where the film would go and how her songs would be a part of it. As the film progressed, I really enjoyed how her songs were woven into the film. There seemed to be different storylines that popped up out of chronological order, and I was confused at first if Janelle was playing one character that had all these things happen to her or if they were all separate storylines. As I kept watching, it became clear that Janelle was in fact playing one character, and the scenes that did not line up with what was happening in the main storyline were flashbacks of both good experiences and bad experiences. The bad experiences all involved governmental oppression. I found this juxtaposition of these flashbacks to show the yearning for freedom and the want to live life without worry and joyfully with loved ones. I felt that this film, like we talked about in class on Monday, pushed the narrative for a want for equality and respect rather than a direct call to action although it does indirectly imply the need for action to be taken because everyone deserves the right to a happy life lived in the way they wish as long as it does not hurt or negatively impact others.