“All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others” must be the most famous quote from George Orwell’s fable Animal Farm. Hoping for a better life, the oppressed animals seize control of the farm. But the utopian dream doesn’t last long. Even in the newly created system, some are oppressed while others profit from the self-implemented structures and begin to rule over the rest.
Now, director Emre Akal continues the story at the point where the novel ends: The animals, who increasingly resemble human beings, rule the world and thus these very human beings. The latter have become used to being remote-controlled, and their desperate attempts to escape or change the ruling power structures only run into further systems that keep them captive. These power structures spread like ulcers, all the way into private spaces. How is it possible that systems of power endlessly return and appear to repeat themselves? And how can we escape this vicious cycle?
Since its publication under the title of Animal Farm: A Fairy Story in 1945, this dystopian fable has been translated into over 70 languages, has sold millions of copies and is still a permanent feature of the literary canon in English-speaking schools or in teaching English as a foreign language. In 2005, Animal Farm was selected among the Top 100 novels in the English language. How is it that this book has remained topical for nearly 80 years and seems to be applicable to all current global events?
Emre Akal is known for his imaginative imagery. He has adapted Orwell’s famous bestseller for the present times, highlighting cornerstones of political systems and raising questions regarding a potentially looming future.