City of Ember story

movie: City of Ember (2008) · 2008-10-10

City of Ember is a 2008 American science fiction adventure film based on the 2003 novel The City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau. Synopsis: A remnant of humanity persists in the titular dank and crumbling underground city some untold generations after an unspecified global catastrophe left the Earth's surface uninhabitable.

11 total · 3 major · 8 minor

ThemeLevelMotivation
existential risk to civilization major The story is set some untold generations after the survivors of an unspecified global catastrophe inhabit the titular dank and crumbling underground city.
post-apocalyptic dystopia major The story is set untold generations after the survivors of an unspecified global catastrophe inhabit the titular dank and crumbling underground city. The city's generator was beginning to fail and the food supplies were dwindling, leaving little hope for a bright future - or so it seemed.
underground city major The story is set some untold generations after the survivors of an unspecified global catastrophe inhabit the titular dank and crumbling underground city.
corruption in society minor Lina was appalled to discover that Mayor Cole has been hoarding canned food in a secret vault for his own benefit while the people went hungry.
father and son minor The inventor Loris was raising his adolescent son, Doon. He, in particular, imparted Doon with this bit of wisdom: "Notice what no one else notices, and you'll know what no one else knows".
first day on the job minor Lina was on the ball for her first day working as a messenger. Doon proved to be competent, but less that enthusiastic on his first day working on the city pipeworks.
grandmother and granddaughter minor Lina's half-senile granny was elated to hear that Lina was selected to be a "Messenger", a highly regarded profession in this society.
patriotism minor In a moment of crisis, the citizens gathered in the town square and sang a patriotic song under the direction of the mayor.
sister and sister minor Lina scooped up her kid sister, Poppy, and fled the city.
theft minor Lina lectured her friend, Lizzy, for stealing a can of food from the city storehouse.