Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)
Methodology: HISTORY
History refers to the influences that certain major events, or trends in recent years, have influenced the filmmaker’s choices. Furthermore, the shared history and collective memory of the society may influence that way in which the filmmaker takes the story, by relying on the public’s knowledge of past events.
Thesis Statement:
In “Mad Max: Fury Road”, the filmmaker constructs his reality as a response of the events in real life, where global capitalism, international politics and environmental damage represent imminent threats for the future.
Reasoning:
The film clearly presents a reaction to the events in western countries’ recent history, where the oil has become a commodity for which people are willing to wage wars, and which transforms a poor country into a wealthy one almost overnight. In this film too, oil represents a scarce and valuable asset, because it powers the last remaining signs of civilizations, the automobiles. In the film, the depletion of natural resources as a result of environmental damage represents one of the greatest threats to the society.
Furthermore, water scarcity is already a problem in the current world, where millions of people suffer from the lack of water for irrigation and daily activities. In the extreme scenario of the film, water scarcity is almost universal, and water has become a commodity. This emphasizes the use of water in the contemporary society, where western societies waste the water, with no concern regarding the problem of water shortage, which is becoming a global problem.
Also, the film tackles the issue of organized religion, and religious extremism. Immortan Joe is a godly figure for ordinary people, because he provides them with their basic necessities. His status as an “immortal” being and his reliance on the War Boys seems to make him invincible. The filmmaker shows that his influence on the War Boys is a result of the religious beliefs of these youngsters. Accordingly, they could be perceived as paralleling the Islamist terrorists, who also go to war for their religious beliefs, and gladly give their lives to reach paradise. In the film, the scene in which Immortan Joe looks at Nux demonstrates the fanatic attitude of the War Boys. Nux is thrilled by the fact that the tyrant looked at him, and enthusiastically declares, “I’m awaitedI’m awaited in Valhalla”. The religion created by Immortan Joe thus draws from Northern mythological beliefs, and seems a fantastical story to Western viewers.
Summation
The film therefore draws from events which are currently threatening human societies in the real world in order to construct a world in which our worst fears have come true. In addition, the film warns against the abuse and misuse of natural resources, and parallels the harms represented by the oil race, and terrorism, which is able to transform ordinary boys into killers. The filmmakers draw on common knowledge to suggest that if current threats are not properly addressed, humanity may face a dim future, and the destruction of civilization.
Using Genre Conventions to Suggest a Return to the Initial Stage of Evolution
Methodology: GENRE
Genre theory examines the way in which the film adheres to specific conventions that all the films of a specific genre must adhere to. By adhering to these conventions, the filmmaker satisfies the expectations of the public to find particular features in a film that belongs to a specific genre. This restricts the filmmakers’ independence to tell a story, but also provides opportunities for social commentary, because the viewers can easily understand the filmmaker’s suggestions.
Thesis Statement:
Genre conventions are used in this film to suggest a future where people have returned to their initial animalistic instincts, where the only drive is ensuring that the primary needs are satisfied, in order to secure one’s own survival.
Reasoning:
The film adheres to the conventions of the Sci-Fi genre, and more specifically, to the dystopian Sci-Fi, which is concerned with sending a message regarding the future of mankind, particularly in the wake of global capitalism and military technology advancements, which threat to send the world into an apocalyptic scenario. The post-Apocalyptic world presented in Mad Max corresponds to people’s worst fears regarding the environmental damage that may take place in the future, the depletion of natural resources, the destruction of modern civilization, and other scenarios which are typically explored in this kind of films. According to the conventions of the genre, the film begins with a short explanation as to why the world has reached such a decayed state. .
Among these individuals, Max, who is haunted by the images of those whom he could not protect, shows a humane side in the way he remembers those he could not protect. The film’s use of voice-over-narration ensures that the viewers can still identify with this character, despite his devolution to the primary instinct of survival. In this film, the idea of the ultimate apocalyptic scenario, where nothing is left but primary instincts to guide the people, editing is used to create the image of desolation, desperation and hopelessness. For example, the extreme wide shots to portray an alien and inhospitable environment, where almost nothing grows, while close-ups are used to illustrate the degree to which people are reduced to an animalistic state.
Mise-en-scène is also used in order to create the perfect context for a Sci-Fi film focused on an apocalyptic scenario. Thus, costumes reflect the decayed state of the civilization, as most characters are dressed in rags. Their clothing also reflects their function in the film, their status and gives viewers suggestions regarding their personality. For example, the four “Breeders” are dressed in white textile pieces which give them a virginal aspect. The white fabric however only covers them minimally, creating a sexualized image of these women, which emphasizes their beauty. On the other hand, Immortan Joe wears a futuristic costume which also functions as a life-sustaining gear. His mouthpiece is frightening, and allows the filmmaker to portray him as a repulsive, even monstrous creature.
Dynamic action scenes, with intense rock music are expected by the viewers, particularly by those familiar not only with the post-apocalyptic Sci-Fi, but also with the Mad Max series. For example, in the scene where Imperator Furiosa is shot, the rapid movement of the camera makes it difficult to understand what happened, and suggests the confusion and the fear of the characters. However, the filmmaker went to extreme, creating scenes which develop so rapidly that sometimes they are difficult to follow and even to watch. This intensifies the experience of the viewers, and further creates the impression of a humanity which has reached over the age of sanity, and has fallen into an abyss of violence and desperation, where only the fit can survive.
Summation
The Death of Democracy in “Mad Max: Fury Road”
Methodology: Political
This methodology suggests that the filmmaker’s political beliefs affect the way in which the film presents its characters, and their societies. The political ideas embodied in the film influence the power status of the characters, their relationship with the state, and the ideologies presented in the film.
Thesis Statement:
In “Mad Max: Fury Road”, the filmmaker reveals his democratic values and his belief in social responsibility, by creating a world where authoritarian rule and the lack of social responsibility leads to complete barbarism.
Reasoning:
In “Mad Max: Fury Road”, the filmmaker constructed a world in which democracy is dead, and characters confront a totalitarian regime, led by a tyrant who restricts people’s access to resources as a way of controlling them. Thus, Immortan Joe is an absolute leader, who controls the population with the help of his “War Boys”, an army which is completely devoted to them, due to the religion he created. By controlling the survival resources of the population, and securing the loyalty of his soldiers based on ideological beliefs, Immortan Joe faces virtually no opposition. Immortan Joe maintains the support of his people by giving propagandistic discourses in which he promotes his regimen as the only solution in this chaotic world. He thus states at the beginning of the film that he is the redeemer who would save the people from a world of destruction.
When he meets opposition, Immortan Joe immediately turns to violence in order to recover his “property”. The opposition group tries to reach a save heaven in a matriarchal community, based on cooperation and social responsibility. As compared to the chaotic and destructive environment of the community they left behind, this community of women emphasizes social responsibility, which is clear in the fact that they preserve seed plants which they hope to plant in fertile land.
However, by the end of the film, democracy is restored, and the tyrant is removed from power. The people is seen for the first time making demands to let the heroes up, and their request is granted, thus proving that when united by a single goal, they can become powerful. The opposition group restores freedom to people, by giving them free access to life-sustaining resources, such as water. However, they also bring back the plant seeds, thus suggesting a better future, based on democratic values, and more responsibility for the environment and social justice.
Summation:
The revolt of the people and the return to democracy in the end of the film, suggests that this new system will be a just one. There is hope in the end, and the hope is represented by the return to democracy.
