Blade Runner: the significance of memory

The 1982 dystopian science fiction film 'Blade Runner' deals in many ways with the ideas of memory and identity. It is mostly through the 'Replicants' (genetically engineered robots that mimic humans almost indistinguishably) that these issues are raised. 

Replicants are distinguishable from humans through a 'Voight-Kampff' test which measures their emotional responses:

. 

It is shown that Replicants can be implanted with false memories that affect their emotional responses. These models of Replicant (the example used in the film is Rachael and, ambiguously, perhaps Rick) can be unaware of their true identities. This immediately presents to us the idea of memories forming our identities and self-awareness.

Photographs are often used throughout the film to visually represent a memory. It is also shown that these can be false, forcing the characters and viewer to question reality. The idea that memory can be mistaken is an important one for this project and dealing with past, present and one's identity.

                 

Free Will is also an issue raised in the film in connection with identity and memory. Replicants, originally invented for use as slaves, rebelled against humans. This suggests that, despite a lack of 'humanity' and individual memory, a person can have a sense of identity and self in regards to their choices and future aspirations. This is particularly called into question in the relationship between Rick and Rachael. When Rick tries to initiate an intimate relationship Rachael tries to leave, however is physically restrained by Rick. It is implied that through suggestion Rick is able to convince Rachael that she loves him by the end of the movie. The implication is that due to her lack of real memory and identity Rachael is unable truly to exercise independent thought.



The ideas of innocence and what makes us human are also prevalent throughout the film. The Tyrell Corporation (which created the Replicants) has a motto that the Replicants are 'More Human Than Human'. The exact implications of this are interpretable but it can be argued that as genetically engineered humans they are a kind of 'Blank Slate'. That is to say that the Replicants are the basis of what it means to be human in their engineering and so are a purer form of ourselves. The imagery used in the film with the Replicant Roy holding a dove which flies away free on his death implies this form of innocence as well.

The end scene to which I am referring is perhaps one of the most famous in 'Blade Runner'. Roy makes a speech as he is about to die that is very profound and has great significance to our project. He remarks that he has 'seen things you people wouldn't believe' but that now he is to die 'All those moments will be lost in time, like tears in rain'. This idea of memories being like 'tears in rain' is poignant. This is perhaps why we as a species record things, bury time capsules, and link our lives and memories to objects, in the hope that they will be remembered.