Children of Men, directed by Alfonso Cuaron is a modern dystopian film based around the idea of an apocalypse or world crisis;

the world is devoid of children as women unable to reproduce. An important idea in the film is the transition of the main character Theo. Initially Theo is hopeless, ignorant and cynical due to the world situation, the world has turned to shit. However, as more people around him are affected, Theo transforms into a person who is heroic, hopeful and selfless. Symbols, such as different animals, are used by Alfonso Cuaron in the film as a way of referring to real-life issues and ideas; they also provide the film with a religious theme. The film is comparable to a documentary, but it is set in a combination of the future and the past. The child itself is a symbol of hope; hope which Theo lost when his son died, and regained when he saved a mother and her child. The mother is of course, Kee. Kee is a refugee, and miraculously she is the last person on earth who can give birth. Theo is given the job of protecting Kee and her baby, initially he agrees to this because he is paid, but as his own life is risked and the world undergoes changes, Theo willingly becomes Kees protector. When Kee gives birth to a daughter, Theo ensures their safety until the very end (until a group of scientists known as The Human Project comes to rescue them). Theo used to say: Human Project why do people believe this crap?, but as he forms a strong relationship with Kee in the end, he becomes a man of hope. Kee would be the one to doubt and Theo would reassure her. As Theo dies in the end, Kee names her baby Dylan, so in many ways Theos lost son is reborn. Theo has therefore redeemed himself for all the times he lost hope. In the film, Theo is used as a focus as we are led through parts of the UK in 2027. A few times, we see Theos feet as he travels around. It is common to see people washing their feet, but here the religious references and allusions are obvious. The bathing of feet is a common ritual in Christianity and Islam as a way of blessing someone. In ancient times when guests would wear sandals, a host would provide them with a foot bath at their house. When Jasper gives Theo a foot tub at his house, Jasper is showing humility while Theo seems holy. The fact that Theo wears sandals or bears his feet shows that even though technology has advanced over the years, our mannerisms have not evolved, in fact we have gone backwards as the future is doubtful. The different environments that surround Theos feet show how he changes as a person. Initially he wears sandals; he is careless and untidy, then during the refugee uprising he acquires shoes; at that point he is a protector of Kee, he also walks barefoot through the wreckage in the end thus showing that he is becoming more selfless in order to protect others. Overall, Theos travelling feet take us on a journey of revelations through the wreckage of 2027. Many animals surround Theo as he travels, usually cats and dogs. It can be said that these animals are rather fond of Theo, while they are wary and guarded in the presence of others. In the Fishes hideout, a kitten jumps up around Theos legs as he suggests that news of Kees baby should be revealed to the world. When Theo eavesdrops on the conversation between Fishes members, the guard dogs do not bark or attack Theo, instead they move away from him, possibly because his motive is positive. In the film, women are infertile but

animals are still able to give birth. This fact still gives people hope for the future, and as the animals surround Theo, they probably effect his emotions as well. The animals are used as symbols of hope by Alfonso Cuaron, but they are not used to provide any major answers as to why women can no longer reproduce. Even in the ending, question are not answered but raised. The scenes which contain animals are brief but few, and there many types of animals too. There is a reference to Noahs Ark where breeds of animals are saved on a boat so the future can be saved. In the book of Enoch, there is also a line which mentions children of men. There is musical piece specially composed for Children of Men by John Tavener, when you listen to the track it sounds sad but hopeful. After the death of characters in the film, this music is usually heard; it shows that sacrifices have been made for the future of mankind, so these people must be mourned. As Theo changes as a person, we hear this piece of music more and more; he sacrifices more, but there is also uncertainty for the future. Maybe after all the things he did, he achieved nothing for the world. This uncertainty is also heard in the music. There is another sound which is heard in the film, usually before, during or immediately after a bad event happens. This sound is the frequency, or the swansong of the dying ear cells. This sound signifies the loss of hope, and corruption of mankind. However, the audience and Theo are also reminded of the importance of love of hope. Sometime after the death of Dylan, Theos partner Julian also passes, and so once again Theo is left alone in the world. In many ways Theo was forced to become the protector of Kee; he could either sacrifice for the world or he could sit and do nothing, although in both endings his life is not guaranteed. However, by choosing to stand up and fight he has given his life more meaning, and emotionally he has become a caring person. By redeeming all the hope that he lost, Theo restores hope for all mankind. Often, in real life, people say that hope is over-rated, and in truth, we still dont know what happens to Kee in the end. Maybe Theo died for nothing; maybe Kee will be killed too. So Alfonso Cuaron makes us question, would we have done the same thing if we were in Theos position? It is true that children are the future, in reality and in spirit, so if children no longer exist, then life is without a future. In life we are always trying to find meaning, some people achieve great things so they will be remembered hundreds of years later. Without a future all these things would be meaningless, and if we cared at all, we would have done exactly the same thing Theo did. When Children of Men first opened in theatres, it was Christmas Day (birth of Christ). Alfonso Cuaron used the opportunity to remind us that extensive issues face the world; material matters only constitute a small part. Every once in a while we need to think about hope, love, and truly learn from the lessons of the past.