The definition of apocalypse described by Burgess and Nur (2008) is “The battle at the end of the world, as described in the Book of Revelation in the Bible. Sometimes also used to describe any religiously charged major societal upheaval” (Burgess and Nur, 2008). This essay will investigate this definition and see if it fits contemporary beliefs. Ideas of the apocalypse have fascinated the public throughout history. Every society has different ideas or predictions about a global cataclysm that will end the world. The end was once interpreted as a supernatural event in which the Earth would be purified by a Deity or divine God. Scientific beliefs about a natural cataclysmic event that will end the world compete with religious theories. During the investigation of Roland Emmerich’s film of 2009, 2012, Solar flares, pole shifts, Earth crust displacement, the Rapture, the Mayan Calendar, the Hopis all give detailed accounts of how the Earth will be destroyed. 2012 shows the conflicting ideas of contemporary society; and this essay will show the various theories and how they act as a guide for surviving the end of the world. The theme of conspiracy theory is also extremely evident throughout society today and these theories are exposed in 2012.
Table of Contents
- Ideas of Apocalypse and Conspiracy Theory in Contemporary Cinema
- The End of the World?
- The Mayans and the End of the World
- The Hopis
- Science and Solar Flares
- The Bible and the Rapture
- Conspiracy Theories in Contemporary Culture
- The Conspiratorial Nature of 2012
- Scientific Theories in 2012
- Conspiracy Theories in 2012
- Religion and Science in 2012
Objectives and Key Themes
This essay explores the representation of apocalyptic and conspiracy theories in contemporary cinema through an analysis of Roland Emmerich's 2012. The film, set against the backdrop of a looming global cataclysm, serves as a platform for examining the intersection of scientific, religious, and conspiratorial beliefs in modern society. Key themes explored in the essay include: * The convergence of diverse end-of-the-world theories, encompassing both religious and scientific perspectives. * The role of conspiracy theories in shaping societal anxieties and perceptions of power structures. * The interplay between scientific knowledge and popular beliefs about catastrophic events. * The potential for cinematic narratives to influence public understanding of complex and controversial ideas.Chapter Summaries
This essay investigates the themes of apocalypse and conspiracy theory in contemporary cinema by analyzing Roland Emmerich's film 2012. The essay begins by exploring various beliefs about the end of the world, including those of the Mayans and the Hopis, as well as scientific explanations for potential cataclysmic events. The essay also examines the influence of conspiracy theories on public perception and how these theories are portrayed in popular culture. The essay then moves on to analyze the specific portrayal of apocalypse and conspiracy theories in 2012. It explores how the film uses scientific theories to explain the impending cataclysm, while also highlighting the presence of conspiracy theories regarding the motivations and actions of world leaders. The essay concludes by examining the interplay between scientific, religious, and conspiratorial beliefs within the film's narrative, ultimately suggesting that 2012 offers a compelling case study of how popular culture can reflect and influence public understanding of complex and controversial ideas.Keywords
This essay focuses on the intersection of apocalyptic and conspiracy theories in contemporary cinema, utilizing Roland Emmerich's 2012 as a case study. Key concepts include: end-of-the-world beliefs, Mayan calendar, Hopi prophecy, solar flares, neutrinos, the Rapture, conspiracy theories, New World Order, and the influence of popular culture on societal beliefs.- Quote paper
- Lea Weller (Author), 2010, Ideas of Apocalypse and Conspiracy Theory in Contemporary Cinema, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/264580
