Z and Bala defying social norms at the workers bar
It’s all for the good of the community. A statement used to justify acts that appear to have no meaning or purpose but what happens when this is the only justification that is ever given? How can a society exist without having free thought and individualism? Movies have created worlds where the individual can fight the system and create a better place or where they realise that what they once thought of as a dystopia is in fact utopia however to realise this they need to fight the system, to experience another way of life. Antz creates a world such as this that requires Z to be a free thinker and revolutionary.
Antz follows a young worker ant, Z, who feels like he is out of sync with the colony, a colony that determines your life at birth, clearly demonstrating that soldier and royalty were more desirable than worker, however this film only shows two ants in the royal family. After meeting the young princess Bala he impersonates his friend a soldier ant in order to see her again. This plan works after sending Z into battle against the nearby termite nest where Z is the sole survivor after hiding in a hole for the duration of the battle. Once discovered he kidnaps the Princess and escapes to Insectopia where there are no rules or social expectations of insects. However upon returning to the colony Z learns of a plan to destroy the colony and start a new one with soldiers loyal to Mandible. It is up to Z and his independent thinking to save the colony.
What is the role of society? Do we do what we do for the community or are we essentially selfish beings? Z broke the mould in his colony, he impersonated a soldier, kidnapped the princess and saved the colony. He was able to do this because he thought for himself, he didn’t accept his lot in life and initially sees the colony as a dystopian society, given your life role at birth with no chance to change your lot and no chance to do anything for yourself. If this is your lot in life you have no opportunities to discover what is best for you, or what you enjoy. Weaver, one of the key players in Antz, learns that he loves to dig, the work of a worker ant rather than a soldier. This is crucial in ensuring that the social context provides value for the individual (Litch, 2010). Z is discontent with his lot in life and his actions reflect the prudential or selfish reasons for doing so however after returning to the colony he acts in the interests of the colony. Rowlands, (2003), refers to these states as stupid and rational egotism. Z is initially stupid, he acts for himself, he is the greater good, however he learns that sometimes there is a greater good than himself and is able to save the colony and his friends. This movie creates a society that allows Z to stand out and work in his best interests and that of the colony while showing that without a context for the individual and without the opportunity to explore individual interests the society is in dangerous waters.
References
Litch, M. M. (2010). Philosophy through Film. 2nd ed. New York: Routledge, Chapter 7: Political Philosophy
Rowlands, M. (2005). The Philosopher at the End of the Universe: Philosophy Explained through Science Fiction Films. London: Elbury Press. , pp. 156-168.
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