EQUALS
ARCHITECTURE + FILM
Equals is a sci-fi romantic drama film which takes place in a highly controlled, crime-and-hostility-free futuristic dystopian society, named The Collective. Previous generations were wiped out by war, where human emotions have been genetically eradicated and everyone lives in peace. In this future world, physical coupling (sex) is forbidden, where procreation occurs only when women are summoned for artificially induced conception, which I find it quite hilarious and stupid. But rules are rules, people are required to be a productive community member while also reporting on suspicious activity, which is to report when they see somebody kissing or conducting any physical intimacy.
The price of safety, well-being, social equality and peace on earth is emotional numbness.
However, an epidemic of Switched On Syndrome (SOS) has been infecting the citizenry. The world has turned upside down for illustrator Silas (Nicholas Hoult) once he found out that he’s infected by SOS. He started to regain his ability of compassion and emotion, which included the feeling of love towards his co-worker Nia (Kristen Stewart), who is also infected but hiding her condition. They begin to develop a secret romance despite the rules set by The Collective. (still…what a stupid rule)
They discovered that there’s other “hiders” who remains undercover, and develop a potential escape plan to avoid being cured and brought back to being emotionless robot. At the end, Silas and Nia went through their escape plan with the help of the others but Silas got cured by the newly found antidote. It’s quite a heart wrenching ending although it is implied that the cure did not completely eradicate Silas’s feeling for Nia.
The cinematographer coats the action in chilly-ice-cool blues, grays and clinical white to better portray an emotionless world. Minimalist-chic apartments are portrayed to show that the future lifestyle are of simple and repeating. The movie is actually shot in Singapore in various recognisable places such as Henderson Waves, One-north MRT station, Marina Barrage and Reflections at Keppel Bay condominium. In the movie, minimalist apartments are set to represent a simple and dull living style, yet futuristic. It was shot at Reflections at Keppel Bay condominium by Daniel Libeskind with its perfect futuristic landscape which suits the genre of the movie. In the movie, Henderson Waves bridge is set to be the linking bridge to connect the working place and their living hub, whereas Marina Barrage is set to be the check point and HQ of The Collective where the citizens check in before work because of its magnificent pillars and high ceiling. It really gives out the grand and official aura of what a government building should be. In my point of view, the movie sets portrayed the movie’s sci-fi futuristic genre perfectly with the white and minimal design. Thumbs up for the production design team for choosing such amazing architecture masterpieces as the movie sets.
MOVIE SETS
Hopefully our future world is not as what the movie showed, I don’t want no brainwashed robotic humans who live and work emotionlessly. There are scenes of these expressionless automatons solemnly marching between their workplaces and the empty sterile pods in which they live, where their needs are met with the push of a button. In my opinion, it’s convenient but it ain’t life. They end their night with playing tetris-like-game over and over again (won’t they ever get bored?). At corporate gatherings, they tend to sit back to back and eye contact is avoided. Imagine a future like this. I cannot.
Cheers to our future!
Nicholas Hoult as Silas
Kristen Stewart as Nia
Henderson Waves Bridge as the connection between The Collective HQ, Workplaces and living hubs.
Marina Barrage as the Collective's HQ and checkpoint before the citizens proceed to work.
Reflections at Keppel Bay condominium by Daniel Libeskind as the citizens' living hub.
Of all the movie sets in Singapore, I think they are all masterpiece of architecture and are perfectly chosen & well deserved in this Hollywood movie. After watching the movie, I can really feel the futuristic vibe and simplicity of life. Especially Henderson Waves Bridge, which I've visited personally, it really brought the connection to life with its curvy wave-form made up of seven undulating curved steel ribs that alternately rise over and under its deck. The curved ribs form alcoves that function asshelters with seats within.
"FIND YOUR EQUAL"
In my opinion, the director Drake Doremus focus too much on the sleek visuls perfection rather than the chemistry between both lead characters which I think not enough to let me feel like they are actually in love with each other. Maybe it's the casting that went wrong? (Kristen Stewart is known for her emotionless). Nonetheless, it's a very beautifully made movie and it's really suitable for people who love to see and admire beautifully crafted things like me.
:D