人類之子 (艾方索庫阿隆，2006)

就在距今20年後上下的時間，人類已經面臨無法繁衍的絕境，於是各個國家一一淪陷，眾人已不再對未來有希望，唯一保有秩序的英國，對非法移民的政策則是全面隔離，有的人身不由己，有的人企圖反抗，卻一樣地都在等待一個生命奇蹟的出現。

改編自P.D.詹姆斯的經典預言小說，人類因科技快速發展而自食惡果的故事已不再新鮮，但幾位英國製片和墨西哥導演艾方索庫阿隆看中它對人類在絕望中仍能為一個生命感動、甚至為它犧牲的光明面，造就出這部不論在敘事和技術上皆十分出色的鉅作。

曾是積極反動份子卻在喪子後失去希望的帝歐，在日復一日沒有知覺的生活中，只剩下好友賈斯柏提醒他還有生存的意義，直到仍是反動份子的前妻茱莉安出現，並帶來一個足以改變人類未來卻身為非法移民的女人，一個重大的任務令他發現命運帶給他的非凡使命。

繼「小公主」、「烈愛風雲」、「你他媽的也是」和「哈利波特：阿茲卡班的逃犯」後，備受好評的庫阿隆再度證明他的好眼光，選中這個對人類有深刻意涵的經典故事，並加入他不斷嘗試的實驗創意，和老搭檔攝影師伊曼紐魯貝茲基合作，呈現前所未有的運鏡技巧，不論是密閉空間的靈活拍攝或長鏡頭的一氣呵成，都看的出他對細節的巨細靡遺。

克萊夫歐文以他原本扎實的實力擔任這個非常吃重的角色，而他的用心的表現也不負眾望，可惜茱莉安摩爾和米高肯恩兩位演技精湛的演員在片中的篇幅極少，但仍是本片增色的元素。

當然以目前看來這像是一個癡人說夢的故事，至少在20年內還不至於發生，但其中對於人類可以為了一個生命反目成仇只為達到各自的利益，亦可以為了一個生命而激起民胞物與的精神，確實提供一個在許多層面亮起紅燈的現代世界中值得再三思考的深遠寓意。

P.S. 本片未在台灣院線上映，僅發行DVD，甚為可惜

Children of Men (Alfonso Cuarón, 2006)

Around 20 years later from now, humans have faced a desperate situation of unable to breed. So every country collapses one after another, people already have no hope for the future. England, which is the only one keeps order, holds a policy of totally isolating the illegal immigrants. Some of them couldn’t do anything about it, some try to fight, but they all are waiting for the appearance of a miracle of life.

Adapted from P. D. James’ novel, humans suffer from themselves because of the fast progress of technology is already not a fresh subject, but a few English producers and a Mexican director Alfonso Cuarón were fond of its bright side of human beings can be moved by a life, even sacrifice for it when being despairing, and made this extraordinary film both brilliant in storytelling and technical level.

Once there was an aggressive reactionist who later lost hope after losing his son, Theo only has an old friend Jasper who reminds him of the meaning of living in a senseless life day after day. Until his ex-wife Julian who still is the leader of a reaction group appears and brings a woman who could change the future of mankind but is an illegal immigrant, a great task makes him realize the unique mission that fate brings him.

After “The Little Princess,” “Great Expectation,” “Y Tu Mamá También” and“Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban,” the acclaimed Cuarón improved his good vision again by picking this classic story that has profound meanings to human beings. Adding the experimental creation that he tried continuously, Cuarón collaborated with his old partner cinematographer, Emmanuel Lubezki, and presents the camera-moving skill that has never been seen before. No matter the shooting in a narrow space or the accomplishment in a long shot shows his focus on details.

Clive Owen played this very important role with his solid acting skill and gave a attentive performance that won’t let the audience down. It’s a huge pity that the roles of the excellent actors, Julianne Moore and Michael Caine, are very small but still are the parts that make the film glow.

Of course it’s an impossible story to look from now. At least it won’t happen in the next 20 years. But a life can make humans turn against each other only over different interests, and it also can make humans arouse the spirit of equality. The story provides a profound moral that worthy thinking over and over in this world that has received red lights in many levels.