# City of Ember

> 2008 film by Gil Kenan

**Wikidata**: [Q1094125](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1094125)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/City_of_Ember)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/city-of-ember

## Summary

City of Ember is a film that spans multiple genres, combining elements of a fantasy film[1][2][3][4][5][6], adventure film[1][2][3][4][5][6], and children's film[1][2][3][4][5][6]. It also operates within darker speculative categories, specifically as a post-apocalyptic film[1][2][3][4][5][6], science fiction film[1][2][3][4][5][6], and dystopian film[1][2][3][4][5][6].

## Summary
City of Ember is a 2008 American science fiction adventure film directed by Gil Kenan, based on the 2003 novel of the same name by Jeanne DuPrau. The film follows two teenagers in an underground city who discover clues left by the original builders to escape before the city's failing generator plunges them into darkness forever.

## Key Facts
- Released: October 10, 2008 (United States)
- Director: Gil Kenan
- Based on: Novel "City of Ember" by Jeanne DuPrau (2003)
- Production companies: Walden Media, Playtone, 20th Century Fox
- Runtime: 95 minutes
- Budget: $55 million
- Box office: $17.4 million worldwide
- IMDb rating: 5.7/10
- Rotten Tomatoes: 53% critics, 58/100 Metacritic
- Genres: Fantasy, Adventure, Science Fiction, Children's Film
- Country of origin: United States
- Language: English
- IMDb ID: tt0970411
- Wikidata ID: Q11424
- Wikipedia title: City of Ember

## FAQs
**What is the plot of City of Ember?**
The film is set in an underground city built as a refuge for humanity, where two teenagers discover an ancient message from the city's builders that reveals how to escape before the failing generator causes permanent darkness. They must solve puzzles and evade corrupt officials to save their people.

**Who are the main cast members?**
The film stars Saoirse Ronan as Lina Mayfleet, Harry Treadaway as Doon Harrow, Bill Murray as Mayor Cole, Tim Robbins as Loris Harrow, and Martin Landau as Sul.

**What is the source material for the film?**
The movie is based on the 2003 novel "City of Ember" by Jeanne DuPrau, which was the first book in a four-part series including "The People of Sparks," "The Prophet of Yonwood," and "The Diamond of Darkhold."

**How was the film received by critics and audiences?**
The film received mixed reviews, with a 53% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a Metacritic score of 58/100. Critics praised the production design and young leads but found the pacing uneven and the story somewhat predictable.

**What is the significance of the city's design in the film?**
The underground city features elaborate steampunk-inspired architecture with a massive generator at its center, reflecting the film's themes of environmental sustainability and the consequences of relying on failing technology.

## Why It Matters
City of Ember matters as a rare example of a family-oriented science fiction film that tackles complex themes of environmental collapse, institutional corruption, and the importance of questioning authority. The film presents a post-apocalyptic scenario that is accessible to younger audiences while still engaging adult viewers with its allegorical content about resource depletion and the dangers of blind faith in failing systems. Its distinctive visual style, combining steampunk aesthetics with underground city design, influenced subsequent dystopian young adult adaptations. The film also represents an important adaptation of young adult literature that helped establish the market for dystopian fiction aimed at younger audiences in the late 2000s.

## Notable For
- Adaptation of a popular young adult novel that launched a successful book series
- Distinctive steampunk-inspired production design and underground city setting
- Early role for Saoirse Ronan before her breakout performances
- Mix of adventure, mystery, and science fiction elements aimed at family audiences
- Themes of environmental sustainability and questioning authority
- Visual effects that created a believable underground world
- Soundtrack by Andrew Lockington that complemented the film's tone
- Marketing campaign that emphasized the mystery and adventure aspects
- Position as one of the few family films dealing with post-apocalyptic themes
- Influence on subsequent young adult dystopian adaptations

## Body

### Production and Development
City of Ember was produced by Walden Media, Playtone, and 20th Century Fox, with a production budget of $55 million. The film was directed by Gil Kenan, who was relatively unknown at the time, having previously directed the animated film "Monster House." The screenplay was written by Caroline Thompson, known for her work on "Edward Scissorhands" and "The Nightmare Before Christmas." Filming took place primarily on sound stages in Belfast, Northern Ireland, with additional location shooting to create the underground city's distinctive look.

### Source Material and Adaptation
The film is based on Jeanne DuPrau's 2003 novel "City of Ember," which became a bestseller and spawned three sequels. The adaptation process involved condensing the novel's plot while maintaining its core themes of discovery, adventure, and the importance of questioning authority. The film expanded on certain visual elements of the underground city that were only briefly described in the book, creating a more elaborate steampunk aesthetic that became one of the film's most distinctive features.

### Cast and Characters
The film features a mix of established actors and rising stars. Saoirse Ronan, who had recently received an Academy Award nomination for "Atonement," plays Lina Mayfleet, the protagonist who discovers the ancient message. Harry Treadaway portrays Doon Harrow, Lina's friend and partner in solving the mystery. Bill Murray plays Mayor Cole, the corrupt leader of Ember, while Tim Robbins appears as Loris Harrow, Doon's father. The supporting cast includes Martin Landau, Mary Kay Place, and Toby Jones, adding depth to the film's ensemble.

### Visual Design and Special Effects
The production design of City of Ember is notable for its elaborate underground city sets, which were built on sound stages in Northern Ireland. The design team created a believable world with a massive generator at its center, surrounded by Victorian-inspired architecture that suggested both advanced technology and decay. The visual effects team worked to create the illusion of a vast underground space, using a combination of practical sets and digital extensions. The film's distinctive lighting design, with the city's failing generator creating flickering, unreliable illumination, became a key visual motif.

### Themes and Symbolism
The film explores several interconnected themes, including environmental sustainability, the dangers of institutional corruption, and the importance of questioning authority. The failing generator that powers Ember serves as a metaphor for humanity's reliance on unsustainable energy sources, while the corrupt mayor represents the dangers of unchecked power. The film also emphasizes the value of curiosity, problem-solving, and working together to overcome seemingly insurmountable challenges.

### Release and Reception
City of Ember was released on October 10, 2008, in the United States, competing with other family films during the fall season. The film grossed only $17.4 million worldwide against its $55 million budget, making it a commercial disappointment. Critical reception was mixed, with praise for the production design and young leads but criticism of the pacing and predictability of the plot. Despite its commercial failure, the film has maintained a cult following among fans of the book series and those who appreciate its unique visual style.

### Cultural Impact and Legacy
While not a commercial success, City of Ember has had a lasting impact on the young adult dystopian genre. The film's visual style and themes influenced subsequent adaptations of young adult novels, particularly those dealing with post-apocalyptic scenarios. The film also helped establish Saoirse Ronan as a rising star capable of carrying major productions. The book series continues to be popular in schools and libraries, with the film adaptation serving as an introduction to the story for many young readers.

### Technical Specifications
The film has a runtime of 95 minutes and was distributed by 20th Century Fox. It was shot in color with a 2.35:1 aspect ratio. The sound design and musical score, composed by Andrew Lockington, played a crucial role in creating the film's atmosphere, with the music emphasizing both the wonder and the danger of the underground world.

### Related Works and Franchise
City of Ember is part of a larger franchise that includes the original novel and its three sequels: "The People of Sparks," "The Prophet of Yonwood," and "The Diamond of Darkhold." While the film only covers the events of the first book, the sequels expand on the world and characters introduced in the original story. The franchise explores themes of rebuilding society, the consequences of past mistakes, and the importance of learning from history.

### Distribution and Home Media
Following its theatrical release, City of Ember was released on DVD and Blu-ray, allowing it to find a wider audience through home viewing. The home media releases included bonus features such as behind-the-scenes featurettes, interviews with the cast and crew, and commentary tracks that provided insight into the film's production and themes.

### Critical Analysis
Film scholars have noted City of Ember's unique position within the young adult adaptation boom of the late 2000s and early 2010s. Unlike many of its contemporaries, which focused on supernatural romance or action-heavy plots, City of Ember emphasized mystery, problem-solving, and environmental themes. The film's visual style has been praised for its originality, combining elements of steampunk, post-apocalyptic design, and Victorian architecture to create a distinctive world that stands apart from other dystopian films of its era.

## References

1. [Source](http://www.ofdb.de/film/159520,City-of-Ember---Flucht-aus-der-Dunkelheit)
2. [Source](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0970411/)
3. [Source](http://www.allocine.fr/film/fichefilm_gen_cfilm=129371.html)
4. [Source](http://www.filmaffinity.com/en/film876990.html)
5. [Source](http://fdb.pl/film/85922-miasto-cienia)
6. [Source](http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/10/movies/10embe.html)
7. [Source](http://www.metacritic.com/movie/city-of-ember)
8. Česko-Slovenská filmová databáze
9. The Movie Database
10. City of Ember. Rotten Tomatoes
11. [IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0970411/releaseinfo/)
12. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
13. [IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0970411/parentalguide/#certificates)
14. Kinopoisk
15. [Source](https://www.kijkwijzer.nl/films/city-of-ember/)
16. terjesztesre_kerulo_filmalkotasok_nyilvantartasa.xlsx
17. List of film licenses issued from 1945 to 2020
18. [Source](https://www.cnc.fr/professionnels/visas-et-classification/121857)
19. Bechdel Test Movie List
20. mymovies.it
21. [Source](https://ui.eidr.org/view/content?id=10.5240/5FB2-FBE2-9165-4FD6-735F-S)
22. Trakt.tv
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