Freedom of Speech

         Through analyzing the themes relating to freedom of speech within The Wandering Earth, the original author's inspiration and motivation becomes clear. The movie was created based on a novel written by Cixin Liu, who wrote the piece to pay homage to his idols, Arthur C. Clarke, and George Orwell [1]. The book, and therefore the movie as well, hints towards freedom of speech themes from both Orwell’s 1984 and Clarke’s 2001: A Space Odyssey.
         In both, The Wandering Earth and 2001: A Space Odyssey, a form of artificial intelligence revokes freedom of speech from humans. During both works, humans are partaking in long journeys through space to complete a mission. The two space ships both contain an AI controller, known as HAL in 2001: A Space Odyssey, and MOSS in The Wandering Earth; both are depicted to have a glowing red camera lense “eye” [2][3]. These controllers allow for communications between the spaceships and Earth. Eventually, HAL and MOSS cut off the communications of both of their astronauts respectively and begin making decisions for themselves [2][3]. Thus, the extremely similar instances serve to display Liu’s inspiration and admiration for Clarke and his work.
         As for Orwell’s 1984, there are several similarities drawn with The Wandering Earth in relation to freedom of speech. In 1984, low ranking members of ‘the party’ were watched and controlled, especially in their communications, by ‘Big Brother’ [4]. This relates to how the people living in the underground cities in The Wandering Earth have their communications controlled by MOSS [3]. In addition, in 1984 a new form of communication was developed known as ‘Newspeak’ to further control communication [4]. Although there is no new language in The Wandering Earth, there is a new method for communicating, which involves using network communication devices within their wearable technology; this technology is connected to the overarching artificial intelligence structure giving it even more control over the communications which pass through [3]. One aspect which was only featured in the book of The Wandering Earth, was that people who disobeyed and spoke out against the project were punished by being left outside in the atmosphere [3]; this related to people being sent to ‘Room 101’ in 1984 to be punished for expressing free speech [4]. Lastly, there is also the connection of the main characters going against the oppression of speech even when the masses did not agree with them. For 1984 it was Winston and Julia who fought for free speech, but people did not seem to agree with them or their plan [4]. In The Wandering Earth, it was Peiqiang Liu, Duoduo Han, and an official from the United Earth Government, who went against MOSS and its attempt to block free speech, and launched their own broadcast to the world even though the majority of people had no hope for the plan beforehand [3]. Therefore, many similarities between 1984 and The Wandering Earth can be found on the basis of freedom of speech alone, which serves as evidence of Liu’s inspiration from Orwell. 

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