2081 (2009)

A short film adaptation of Kurt Vonnegut's Harrison Bergeron, 2081 depicts a dystopian future in which, thanks to the 212th Amendment to the Constitution and the unceasing vigilance of the ... See full summary »

Director:

Chandler Tuttle

Writers:

Chandler Tuttle (screenplay), Kurt Vonnegut Jr. (short story)

Stars:

James Cosmo, Julie Hagerty, Armie Hammer

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
James Cosmo	...	George Bergeron
Julie Hagerty	...	Hazel Bergeron
Armie Hammer	...	Harrison Bergeron
Patricia Clarkson	...	Narrator (voice)
Tammy Bruce	...	Handicapper General
James C. Burns	...	Lead HG Man (as James Burns)
Yuris Skujins	...	Stuttering TV Anchor
David Healy	...	Replacement TV Anchor
Alina Faye	...	Lead Ballerina
Beckie King	...	'Prima' Ballerina (as Becky King)
Ira Gold	...	Lead Usher
Florian Kashani	...	Lead Security Guard
David Conner	...	Solo Cellist
Thor Halvorssen	...	Bomb Specialist
Kareem Ferguson	...	Bomb Specialist

Storyline

A short film adaptation of Kurt Vonnegut's Harrison Bergeron, 2081 depicts a dystopian future in which, thanks to the 212th Amendment to the Constitution and the unceasing vigilance of the United States Handicapper General, everyone is "finally equal...." The strong wear weights, the beautiful wear masks and the intelligent wear earpieces that fire off loud noises to keep them from taking unfair advantage of their brains. It is a poetic tale of triumph and tragedy about a broken family, a brutal government, and an act of defiance that changes everything. Featuring an original score performed by the world-renowned Kronos Quartet (Requiem for a Dream) and narration by Academy Award Nominee Patricia Clarkson (Far From Heaven, Goodnight and Good Luck), 2081 stars James Cosmo (Braveheart, Trainspotting), Julie Hagerty (Airplane!, What About Bob?) and Armie Hammer (The Social Network).

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Plot Keywords:

mask | future | bomb | live television | fugitive | 

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Taglines:

Everyone Will Finally Be Equal

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Genres:

Short | Action | Sci-Fi

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Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

29 May 2009 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Moving Picture Institute

Technical Specs

Runtime:

25 min

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

The film's sound was scored and mixed at Skywalker Ranch, George Lucas' sound facility in Northern California.

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Quotes

Hazel Bergeron: I think I'd make a good Handicapper General...
George Bergeron: You would.

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Connections

Version of Between Time and Timbuktu (1972)

User Reviews

In my opinion, this is as good as film gets.

Sometimes in an effort to stretch a film out to 90 minutes plus or to show off or to pander to their audience or I don't even know what else, film makers lose sight of what film is - it is ART. Art should, at its essence, be a concretization of abstracts (themes, emotions, virtues). When the film is an adaptation of a work of literature, this common fault can become even more glaring. Harrison Bergeron is a short story with a single, universal theme. As a story, it is no longer than it needs to be to concretize that theme and it does it well. As a film, I can say the same of 2081. Combine the flawless simplicity with excellent casting, a moving score and good directorial choices and cinematography, and the result is a short film that I consider about as good as film gets.

This is not for the faint of heart, however. I am still shaking. Knowing the story before hand, I knew I would be moved, and I was. This film, this theme, is oh so relevant today. It's nice to see that some people understood this well enough to make this perfect work of art. To them, I say thank you.