When I first hear the term postmodernism I immediately think of art. Postmodern art can be considered art that was created during the 50's or after World War II. As we discussed in class, the term wasn't really used until the 1980's. That is true within the art world as well. In an article I once read about post-modern art, the author talks about how art from the postmodern era is just referencing other works of art. Therefore using the postmodern style of taking from the past, "recycling earlier genres and styles in new contexts" as said in The Approaches to Po-Mo article. The film Repo Man also can be considered postmodern as it takes many popular genres of films, particularly from the fifties, and uses them in one film. It uses these genres but in a very satirical way.
According to the article Analysis Of Repo Man, the film's writer and director Alex Cox was heavily influenced by fifties sci-fi movies. More specifically ones that were made to reflect the dropping of atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Cox also stated that films like Them! and This Island Earth were the only the only films addressing the issues of nuclear testing. Another way that the time was post modern was reigniting the fears of nuclear war by President Reagan, who wanted the world to go back to "the good times" of the 1950's. Thus bringing back the fear of a nuclear attack. Repo Man uses many of the same ideas of those types of sci-fi films. Although more parodying them, like Invasion of the Body Snatchers for instance. The use of aliens is clear, and the use of a female lead or love interest is also used. The difference being that Otto ultimately rejects Lila in the end of the film, while Miles stays with Becky until she is turned into a duplicate. The idea satirizes the usual love story plot line that comes with films like these.
The film also refers back to youth rebellion films that were popular during the fifties. Instead of the motorcycle gang being the rebellion group or other, as seen in The Wild One, it's the punk culture. Otto's friends in the film are particularly stereotyped and parodied. The gang that Otto was once a part of is frequently seen throughout the film. Two being Archie and Duke, who are both portrayed as dim and unaware of what the punk culture stands for or what to do with themselves. A repeated line "let's go do some crimes" was always said in a sort of confusion. When Duke is killed, his last words refer to how society ultimately was the cause of his death. Otto hears his last words and states "You're a white suburban punk just like me". The idea the punks in the film wouldn't know what they stood for or why they do the things they do could be a comment by the writer on the entire punk culture. Another big part of the story line is the relationship between Otto and his mentor Bud. The relationship reminded me of the relationship between Mr. Dadier and Miller in Blackboard Jungle. Although one again satirized as Bud isn't exactly the ideal role model. Mr. Dadier took Miller under his wing to keep him from trouble and from being influenced by the other male students. With helping Miller, Dadier only grows and becomes a better instructor. In the case of Otto and Bud, Bud seems to decline throughout the film. In both cases the relationships become strained and in different ways, by the end, go back to a better place. Bud's death could also be viewed as a parody on the usual hero/mentor theme that is present in many films.
Though much of the references to specific films is a stretch, it's clear that Repo Man is a post modern film. The use of consumerism with the food and drink that are sold in the film, the satirical representation of themes and even the setting and architecture of Los Angeles can all be considered post modern by the article Approaches to Po-Mo. What do you guys think?
