[Thor Joachim Haga]

Given our current world situation, I’m thinking about doing a special webcast episode on scores to films or TV shows about oppressive regimes.

I’m looking for recommendations in that regard, preferably something more or less earthbound (STAR WARS, for example, is a bit too “out there”, even though it concerns that exact thing).

[GerateWohl]

Eurythmics 1984

JNH’s Hunger Games maybe?

Darin Marianelli’s V like Vendetta

Don Davis’ The Matrix (maybe also too far out there)

Jerry Goldsmith’s Papillon

Michael Kamen’s Brazil

Gabriel Yared’s Das Leben der Anderen.

And I don’t remember who wrote the score to the TV adaptation of Handmaid’s Tale. I neither liked the show nor the score, but it worked quite well in context.

[FalkirkBairn01]

Ennio Morricone’s The Battle of Algiers

Music from the music Wendy Carlos created for A Clockwork Orange

John Tavener’s Children of Men

[GerateWohl]

And Williams’ Schindler’s List of course.

[Malte Müller]

Morton Gould’s HOLOCAUST
Alfred Newman THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK
Elmer Bernstein GENOCIDE (documentary though)
James Newton Howard THE HUNGER GAMES movies

I don’t really remember much of the score besides working in context and the theme song but perhaps the Norwegian series OCCUPIED (Okkupert) also fits (especially in these times…). Just recently watched the third last season.

[Sigbjørn]

I guess many of Rozsa’s historical epics kinda qualify.

And what about Gould’s Exodus? I’ve never seen the film.

[GerateWohl]

Gold’s Exodus is about the foundation of the state of Israel as far as I know. As this was founded as a democracy it rather doesn’t qualify. I also haven’t seen it. But Ridley Scott’s Exodus might be better (who wrote the score?). Just like Bernstein’s Ten Commandments.

But in the end Thor must define what he means with oppressive regimes. Does slavery count in? Then we could mention Zimmer’s 12 Years A Slave or North’s Spartacus.

Do we count in prison movies? Sleepers? Murder in the First? Alkatraz? Etc. I already mentioned Pappillon above.

But then, what about Oliver Twist? Or any movie about partiarchial structures? Scenes of a Marriage?

[Thor Joachim Haga]

My initial idea was about real-life regimes, like those of Trump, Putin, Xi, Jung-un….but doesn’t have be as concrete as that. Certain sci fi elements can be added. For example, THE HANDMAIDEN was also on my mind, whether you pick the Sakamoto or Taylor.

But I suppose oppressive regimes in any shape or form would qualify, really. Including prison films.

Many good suggestions so far, by the way!

[GerateWohl]

I have one more: Klaus Badelt’s Equilibrium

[Sigbjørn]

Where Eagles Dare 🙂

[Author]

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