Contagion (2011): Conspiracy of a Pandemic Virus?

Film Contagion depicts a global pandemic that occurs when a new and rapidly spreading virus emerges. The story begins with Beth Emhoff (played by Gwyneth Paltrow) returning from a business trip to Hong Kong. She starts showing strange symptoms of an unknown illness and eventually dies rapidly. As time progresses, people around the world begin to get infected by this unknown virus.

Doctor Ellen Meers (played by Kate Winslet) from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) quickly gains an understanding of how fast and dangerous the virus is spreading. Meanwhile, other scientists and researchers, such as Dr. Leonora Orantes (played by Marion Cotillard), work hard to find out the origin of the virus and how to stop it.

Doctor Erin Mears collaborates with microbiologist Dr. Ally Hextall (played by Jennifer Ehle) to develop a vaccine, while Kate Winslet herself gets infected and dies from the virus. A representative from the pharmaceutical company, Alan Krumwiede (played by Jude Law), takes advantage of the situation to spread conspiracy theories and attempt to manipulate public opinion.

Meanwhile, Damon (played by Matt Damon), Beth Emhoff's husband, becomes one of the immune individuals to the virus. He strives to protect his surviving daughter, and scientists continue to struggle to develop a vaccine that can provide protection to the public.

With the rapid spread of the virus and limited resources, society experiences social chaos and riots. Eventually, a vaccine is successfully developed, and distribution begins. The film depicts the pandemic story by showing its impact on various layers of society and various parties involved in the mitigation efforts.

Here is the main chronology of the Contagion film:

1. Day 2: Beth Emhoff returns from a business trip to Hong Kong and starts showing symptoms of an unknown illness.

2. Day 3: Beth is admitted to the hospital, and her condition worsens. She dies a few hours later.

3. Day 6: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) begins investigating the rapidly spreading mysterious illness. Dr. Ellis Cheever (played by Laurence Fishburne) from the CDC leads efforts to understand and address the situation.

4. Day 9: The illness has spread to several countries worldwide. People begin to feel its impact, including school closures and increased panic.

5. Day 17: Dr. Leonora Orantes from the World Health Organization (WHO) investigates in a village in Hong Kong to find the origin of the virus.

6. Day 26: The CDC successfully identifies the virus as the Nipah Virus with genetically modified DNA.

7. Day 32: Dr. Erin Mears (played by Kate Winslet) gets infected and dies from the virus. Dr. Ally Hextall (played by Jennifer Ehle) works hard to develop a vaccine.

8. Day 64: Social chaos and riots begin as food and drug supplies dwindle, and governments start imposing quarantine and strict controls.

9. Day 97: A vaccine is successfully developed, and distribution begins. It is revealed that Mitch Emhoff (played by Matt Damon), Beth's husband, is one of the immune individuals.

10. Day 133: Mass vaccination begins, and several months after the start of the pandemic, the situation begins to improve. The film ends with a flashback to Beth's business trip to Hong Kong, suggesting that the virus may have originated from bats.

This chronology provides a general overview of the development of the health crisis in the film Contagion, highlighting the impact of the deadly virus and the efforts of scientists and governments to combat the pandemic.

In the film, the geopolitical situation is primarily focused on the global response to the rapidly spreading virus. Some prominent geopolitical elements in the film involve international relations, government responses, and collective efforts to address the global health crisis. Here are some aspects of the geopolitical situation in the film:

1. International Cooperation: Despite some conflicts and tensions between nations, there is evident international cooperation in responding to the pandemic. The World Health Organization (WHO) plays a crucial role in coordinating global efforts and collaborating with countries to understand, prevent, and treat the disease.

2. Competition and Rivalry: Alongside cooperative efforts, the film also reflects the reality of competition and tensions between nations in the race to develop a vaccine. This competition includes ethical considerations and policy decisions in distributing the limited vaccine to the public.

3. Panic and Social Unrest: The pandemic creates a complex geopolitical situation with social unrest and tension between the public and governments. The conditions of uncertainty and resource shortages create chaos in some areas, requiring strong actions and strict regulations from governments.

4. Conspiracy Issues: The film highlights how conspiracy theories can influence public perception of the pandemic. Alan Krumwiede, a blogger and freelance journalist, exploits this situation to spread conspiracy theories and manipulate public opinion, creating a complicated geopolitical dynamic.

5. Government Roles: Governments worldwide play a central role in responding to the pandemic. Government policies in handling the crisis, including quarantine, vaccine distribution arrangements, and managing social unrest, create complex geopolitical dynamics.

Contagion attempts to provide a realistic portrayal of how quickly and extensively a deadly disease can spread in the era of globalization. The cinematography and performances of the cast create a dramatic and tense impression, making viewers reflect on the threat of a global health crisis and how society and governments must unite to face it.

Although Contagion is a science fiction film, these elements reflect some geopolitical aspects that might occur in the context of a global pandemic. However, it is important to note that this film remains a work of fiction and dramatization for entertainment purposes.

(source: chatgpt)