Contagion: fiction meets reality

This film is one of many that have a plot centered on a pandemic

This film is one of many that have a plot centered on a pandemic

Azael A. Gomez, Reporter

Contagion depicts how a virus and fear can easily spread across the world. Although moments the film can feel rushed or exaggerated it has accurate information about viruses and how people can take advantage of a global crisis.

Contagion directed by Steven Soderbergh, has a star studded cast that includes Matt Damon, Laurence Fishburne, Kate Winslet, Jude Law, and Gwyneth Paltrow. The film starts as  Beth Emhoff (Gwyneth Paltrow) is returning from a business trip in Hong Kong, but little does she know she is carrying a virus that is highly contagious. The fictional virus is called Mev-1.

As the virus spreads  the film has close up shots of surfaces that infected characters touch depicting how easily a virus is spread. When the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) start looking into this virus the film shows the protocols both organizations follow.  Alan Krumwiede (Jude Law) is a freelance reporter who is trying to warn people that a virus is spreading and later on profits  from lies. 

The film came out in 2011 but has risen in popularity because it is so topical due to Covid-19. The film stresses how important it is to take care of ourselves and the planet and how easily a virus can spread.