Smog on the Big Screen from Blade Runner to Godzilla

Summary

The transcript explores how smog and environmental anxiety have been portrayed in cinema, tracing its representation from film noir to science fiction and horror genres. Key references include films like Blade Runner, Godzilla vs. the Smog Monster, The Fog, and L.A. Confidential, which use smog as a metaphor for urban decay, social inequality, and existential threat. The analysis highlights how these films not only reflect environmental concerns but also expose broader societal issues of race, class, and the slow-moving dangers of pollution, demonstrating cinema's power to critique and illuminate complex environmental and social challenges.