The Effect of the Ambiguity of Brazil's Setting

Gilliam avoids defining the exact time in which Brazil is set, which accomplishes a couple things related to how the audience receives the film. For an audience watching the film in the 21^st century, saying that the film takes places “somewhere in the 20^th century” makes them reevaluate their past situation. For example, have they experienced personally or heard about places with a government as strict as the one in Brazil? (The latter is probably true.) What should have been done about it? Or, how about the importance of physical beauty in their society? Has it reached the extreme level it does in Brazil? Since the 20^th century was almost over when the film premiered, those watching it earlier on were able to ponder these questions about their current situation and a short ways into the future. Audiences can surely ask themselves similar questions after viewing a science fiction film set more solidly in the future, like Things to Come, but with a film set more clearly in their own time period the questions seem more relevant and therefore more frightening. It’s difficult to seriously worry about the problems presented in Things to Come, because the men were all wearing short togas and the overall presentation of “the future” seemed a bit ridiculous...it’s harder to relate to. I mean, I know people who wear suits just like Sam’s, and I’ve seen offices smaller than his, and we also have Smart Cars, just like Sam’s little vehicle. So though I can’t really discern when Brazil takes places, I can easily see the similarities between my world and Sam’s, which makes the films’ questions stick with me.  Again, these two films were made about 50 years apart so it’s not fair to compare them.