Lottery - Lotteries in Popular Culture

Lotteries in Popular Culture

In George Orwell’s novel 1984, in Oceania there is a lottery, and the proles often buy lottery tickets hoping for a big win. In reality only small amounts are ever paid out, the lack of communication between different parts of Oceania did not make this difficult.

Lotteries are also a popular theme in film and television fiction.

It Could Happen to You is a 1994 US romantic comedy-drama film starring Nicolas Cage and Bridget Fonda. It is the story of New York City police officer (Cage) who wins the lottery and splits his winnings with a waitress (Fonda). The basic premise was inspired by a real-life incident. Isaac Hayes has a role as undercover reporter and photographer Angel Dupree, while also being the film's narrator.

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