Take Me to Valhalla! Why George Miller is the OG of Feminism in Action Movies
Written by Daniel Blick on Creators.co
In a time when the feminist agenda is more popular than ever, it's no surprise that it's also become some what of a gimmick. Rather than actually trying to push the envelope for equal rights between genders, many film-makers and studios alike have been recently accused of exploiting the movement for financial gain. What might be surprising however is that the one man who cannot be accused of this is also white, in his 70s and makes movies about men crashing into things with their cars. Here's why George Miller is the truest of feminists.
How 'Hardcore Henry' Could Be The Gateway To A Different Type Of Cinematic Experience
Written by Shawn Abeln on Creators.co
If you haven't read my previous article about Hardcore Henry, please read it first here. Now, Hardcore Henry is an upcoming action film unlike any other. The story follows Henry, who has just been brought back from the dead by his wife — with no recollection about his past. While being part man and part cyborg, he must find out who he is, save his wife who has been kidnapped, and prevent a warlord from experimenting on him to mass produce bio-engineered soldiers.
If that wasn't cool enough for you, then here comes the kicker. Hardcore Henry is the first film of its kind that features the entire movie in FIRST-PERSON. Now as excited as we are for Hardcore Henry, we need to think about what can come after it. It can truly be the gateway to an entire universe of new ideas in the film industry. I'll break it down into a few categories:
For Starters
Check out the trailer for Hardcore Henry.
Now let’s think genres...
Horror
Just imagine, truly imagine, what it would be like to watch Silent Hill or 28 Days Later in a first-person perspective. While it would probably be easier to see makeup, props, etc, It would be a lot more exhilarating than regular viewing. Take for example a Saw movie. Can you think about how crazy and disturbing that would be to watch? It would make me cringe and feel "phantom pains," but that would make the movie even more terrifying! Take a psycho/killer movie and put it in first-person. You would naturally immerse yourself in it and have similar feelings and emotions as the victim!
Romance
Now I don't truly know how I feel about having romance set in the first-person. I think it could be pretty adorable in the right hands, but at the same time it could be kind of creepy. Take Ryan Reynolds in Just Friends, which is a romantic comedy, and imagine if it was all in first-person. It would feel as if you were Ryan, and you were getting one crazy attractive girl. In the same light think about a movie like P.S. I Love You. I don't believe you could make a movie like that in the first-person, but who am I to say it wouldn't be any good!
Comedy
This is one place a first-person movie could really shine if done properly! Take a movie like Shaun of the Dead or something raunchy like Borat, and let the hysterical laughter commence. I believe it would make the movie feel like a realistic piece of humor when seen through the eyes of the protagonist! It would be as if you were on the streets watching it unfold in front of you.
Action
I firmly believe that Hardcore Henry will blaze a path for first-person action movies. Think about a James Bond movie or a personal favorite of mine, Mad Max: Fury Road. Put those movies in first-person and how sick would that be? You could be doing dogfights in the sky in one movie, or fighting terrorists in another. Explosions, driving, firefights, fist-fights, jumping building to building, skydiving, etc. The possibilities are truly endless.
It's not just action where the possibilities are endless because any one of these genres could have their own unique twists on how the perspective of first-person is shown.
After watching both 'Duel' and 'Mad Max: Fury Road' we found that they share multiple similarities with one another, besides the high speed chase that frames their story.
They involve the performative acts of masculinity against backdrops that are fundamentally seen as archetypes of male culture. 'Duel' brings the visual notion of the old west as the protagonist David Mann travels further and further away from his Suburbian safety net as he ventures forth in the great unknown. Whilst 'Mad Max: Fury Road', revisits aspects of viking culture and male martyrdom.
Additionally, the iconography within these films are key to understanding their message. Within 'Duel' cowboy boots and hats become the visual indicator warning David that he fails to measure up the machismo of the stoic and quiet males he encounters during the films. The production design in certain scenes help affirm this message, as in one scene he is surrounded by flowers and pink booths. The truck chasing him thus becomes the embodiment of his fear and a metaphor for penis envy. Something David ultimately accepts and defeats through the possession that determine him as a man; his car and job.
With 'Mad Max:Fury Road' the iconography is again brought forth with the appearance of Imperator Furiosa and her seemingly male appearance. As the film continues it stresses the bond between Woman and Man must develop beyond sexual desire and their needs to to be a mutual respect and understanding.
We’re gonna be seeing a lot of these in the coming weeks - but I doubt they’re going to top this mashup!
Edited by Creator Nick Bosworth