The movie “Arrival” (2016) sparked debates concerning its portrayal of linguistic and scientific concepts, along with political and social themes.
Controversy 1: Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis
The film received criticism for its representation of the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis, suggesting that it misrepresented the theory as a definitive fact rather than a disputed concept. Linguists and scientists raised concerns about the movie’s handling of linguistic determinism.
Controversy 2: Alien Portrayal and Language
Critics pointed out the lack of realism in the depiction of the aliens and their language, while others commended the imaginative design and interpretation.
Themes and Discussions
Discussions also revolved around the movie’s themes of communication, empathy, and cooperation, particularly in relation to contemporary social and political issues such as immigration and xenophobia.
Final Verdict
While “Arrival” generated controversies and criticisms, it was widely praised for its thought-provoking narrative, innovative cinematography, and compelling performances by the cast.
Arrival movie trivia’s?
1. “Story of Your Life” by Ted Chiang: The film is an adaptation of Ted Chiang’s acclaimed short story “Story of Your Life.”
2. Creation of Alien Language: The production team developed a fully functional written language for the aliens called “Heptapod B,” with the assistance of linguist Jessica Coon, ensuring its consistency and believability.
3. Unique Visuals and Language: The filmmakers employed various techniques to give the alien spaceship and Heptapod language a distinct and otherworldly appearance. The spaceship was designed as a smooth, black pebble-like object, while the language consisted of inkblots and intricate circular patterns.
4. Evolving Music Composition: Initially, composer Jóhann Jóhannsson created a traditional orchestral score, but director Denis Villeneuve opted for a more experimental electronic sound. Ultimately, Jóhannsson was replaced by Max Richter, resulting in significant changes to the final score.
5. Filming Locations and Visual Effects: The movie was shot in different Canadian locations, including Quebec and British Columbia. The production team utilized a combination of practical effects and CGI to achieve the visually stunning scenes.
6. Gender Change for Lead Role: Originally written as a male character, the lead role of Dr. Louise Banks was transformed into a female character at the suggestion of Amy Adams, the film’s star. Adams found the character’s complexity and vulnerability compelling and emphasized the importance of strong female leads in sci-fi films.
7. Themes and Acclaim: “Arrival” delves into themes of language, communication, and time, earning praise for its thought-provoking and emotionally charged storyline. The film has drawn comparisons to sci-fi classics like “Close Encounters of the Third Kind” and “2001: A Space Odyssey.”
