‘Soylent Green’ at American Centre

‘Soylent Green’ 1973 science fiction movie will be screened at the American Centre, Colombo- 3 on January 9 at 6.30 pm. This months theme for the weekly film screening is the use of science fiction as a metaphor for anxieties of the times and Richard Fleischer film 'Soylent Green' loosely based on the 1966 science fiction novel about overpopulation by Harry Harrison.

Set in the year 2022, the film depicts a dystopia, a Malthusian catastrophe that takes place because humanity has failed to pursue sustainable development and has not halted population growth. New York City's population is 40,000,000, with over half unemployed.

Global warming, air pollution and water pollution have produced a year-round heatwave and a thin yellow smog in the daytime. Food and fuel resources are scarce because of animal and plant decimation, housing is dilapidated and overcrowded, and widespread government-sponsored euthanasia is encouraged as a means of reducing overpopulation.

The film stars Charlton Heston, Edward G. Robinson, Leigh Taylor-Young, Joseph Cotten and Chuck Connors. The film's title refers to the fictional artificial food product at the centre of its plot. Due to the cult popularity of the film, the term "soylent green" and the movies famous last line have become something of a catch phrase. Many subsequent works have referenced Soylent Green for dramatic or comedic effect.