RESEARCH TOPIC

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At the heart of the cyberpunk genre lies a compelling vision of a dystopian future, one irrevocably marred by the encroachment of relentless human technology. This stark narrative constructs a vivid dichotomy, where a world brimming with technological marvels stands juxtaposed against a sea of disenfranchised citizens, denied access to these luxuries. Herein, the creators and proprietors of these technological wonders, the formidable mega-corporations, reign supreme from their towering skyscrapers, casting a long shadow over a world in turmoil. "Before Midnight," in its essence, unfurls the cyberpunk genre's canvas, magnifying the gaping inequalities ingrained in our societal fabric and serving as a stark reminder that the dystopian landscapes depicted in cyberpunk tales may well become our reality should we fail to confront them.

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Born from the fertile grounds of literature, the modern cyberpunk cinematic genre is inexorably tethered to imagery of densely populated urban landscapes, towering architectural monoliths, and the starkly hierarchical divides among its denizens, all for cogent reasons. The late 1990s witnessed an unprecedented surge in the U.S. population, a surge that sowed the seeds of inspiration for visions of a future marred by staggering overpopulation and crumbling megacities. Simultaneously, the era was marked by a distressing zenith in violent crime rates, casting a grim pall over the cinematic milieu, with themes centering on narcotics, gangs, and pervasive corruption.

Conversely, the landscape was punctuated by the meteoric rise of tech giants like Microsoft and Apple, their expansive strides in science and technology reshaping the nation's fabric. It is against this backdrop of rapid population growth, technological advancement, and socioeconomic chasms that New York City emerges as a poignant crucible for the exploration of the cyberpunk genre. Adorned with a profusion of neon luminescence, teeming human masses, and towering skyscrapers that reach toward the heavens, the city assumes its most vibrant visage at nightfall, as denizens traverse its illuminated arteries.

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Drawing inspiration from Ridley Scott's seminal "Blade Runner" (1982), I have judiciously employed a color palette primarily steeped in hues of blue and shades of purple and pink. These colors, emblematic of the future and technology, converge through meticulous post-production processes, transmuting midnight street scenes into a hyper-realistic cyberpunk dystopia. In doing so, I endeavor to articulate a futuristic iteration of New York City, a metropolis steeped in the noxious miasma of human technology.