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I agree with the notion that true "dystopian" films are not set in the future. Why bother when the present day works so well? To see true "dystopian" films, check out;

"L'Eclisse" - Michalangelo Antonioni, 1962
"The Bed You Sleep In" - Jon Jost, 1993
"Two or Three Things I Know About Her" - Jean Luc Godard, 1967
"L'argent" - Robert Bresson, 1983

Rather than some sci fi setting, the future or some other "distant galaxy, far far away" these were all set in the times they were made, aka the MODERN AGE. They basically all say the same thing in their own, aesthetically uncompromising way; that we are f*cked as a society. Other films by these same director's apply but the films I've listed are probably the most "dystopian". Sadly they are not all widely available on DVD. "L'Eclisse" and "L'Argent" are. "2 or 3 Things..." might have a good DVD out eventually. "The Bed You Sleep In" has a horrible DVD release and is mired in a copyright mess. Jost is probably one of the best American filmmakers, yet few people know he exists. Goes to show you how our society values real "art", particularly when it's critical of American society. You can read about his work on his website; www.jon-jost.com.

As for the list, I found it 'meh'. Gattaca is underrated (though far from great) but most of the rest of the list is extremely overrated, save for "La Jatee" and "Alphaville", the foreign films, naturally. Though I confess to not seeing the Lucas film, and need to re-watch Brazil since I saw it last a long time ago. At least they didn't put up that piece of garbage "American Beauty"...


Thinking about it, I may want to add Ingmar Bergman's "Winter Light", very minimalist and psychologically haunting..

I also liked AB at the time but like you I think it was more a suburban angst thing. I believe it's success was more due to it's topical nature, it hit a cultural nerve. I've heard many who loved it initially admit that it's not as good as they originally thought. When I began to learn more about the subtle art of filmmaking I realized how awful a film it actually is. It's also a very spiteful, condescending film, and loaded with lame cliche's and symbolism. While the four films I listed are similarly hopeless and cynical and have their fair share of symbolism, I don't get the sense any were created out of spite, but rather a genuine concern for the state of things. The director of AB seems like he's "better" than depressive suburban dwellers. Because he doesn't understand them as people so he turns them into caricatures of the real thing. "Happiness" is another film that does this. If you want a contrast (that is somewhat mainstream) I recommend Gus Van Sant's "Elephant", his film about school shooters. Which is another good "dystopian" film set in reality.

Aside from that the "plastic bag" thing in AB had already been done by a little known experimental filmmaker Nathaniel Dorsky. Whether or not the rip off was intentionally is up for debate...