Question about Furiosa

[pauli77]

I'm just wondering if anyone gets the impression, based on what we've seen, that Furiosa could potentially be a lesbian heroine? It would be quite remarkable if this was explicit within the film. There's certainly some interesting ideas raised about gender - Furiosa seems heavily masculinised compared to the girls she prtoects, who seem to be the ultimate in protected innocence whisked to safety from a mad man's tower.

Miller had certain subtextual references to homosexuality in the first two which weren't altogether flattering, so it would be an interesting and progressive step if Furiosa was to represent this in some way. Equally, she could just be a tough woman ala Ripley in Aliens.

[MWFV8]

It's entirely possible but it's tricky ground. The common problem with strong female characters is that often their strength comes from something too literal, ie they run around punching things, and thus they easily become alpha-male characters in the form of women. Making a female action character a lesbian is a bit of trope and only further reinforces that she's there for male fantasy and nothing more. I'm not saying it shouldn't or can't be done, but it's something very difficult to balance.

In the case of Ripley, her character was actually written as male in early drafts yet she's probably the female action hero most women identify with. That goes to show the power of putting gender aside and just writing strong characters.

[roadwarriormfp]

Sarah Conner anyone?

[MWFV8]

Conner was a good character. Cameron has always portrayed female characters well.

[pauli77]

It's entirely possible but it's tricky ground. The common problem with strong female characters is that often their strength comes from something too literal, ie they run around punching things, and thus they easily become alpha-male characters in the form of women. Making a female action character a lesbian is a bit of trope and only further reinforces that she's there for male fantasy and nothing more. I'm not saying it shouldn't or can't be done, but it's something very difficult to balance.

In the case of Ripley, her character was actually written as male in early drafts yet she's probably the female action hero most women identify with. That goes to show the power of putting gender aside and just writing strong characters.

My point about Ripley was just that her sexuality wasn't referenced or important.

I agree but Furiosa seems more the main hero than Max in this film and that would be something we haven't seen before. Also there's a few images where we get a sense of emotional pain and a bond between her and the girls she rescues so she wouldn't be just a gung-ho, ass-kicking lesbian type trope. Also, the fact she has buzz cut hair and one arm would very much put her outside the norm of the male gaze.

I'm bringing this up more because if these things do fall into place and she is, as she appears, the main hero then this would be quite remarkable for a multi-million pound movie. However, based on the trailers I think I'm expecting far too much character development lol..

[blackmocco]

However, based on the trailers I think I'm expecting far too much character development lol..

Yep.

[MWFV8]

I'm bringing this up more because if these things do fall into place and she is, as she appears, the main hero then this would be quite remarkable for a multi-million pound movie. However, based on the trailers I think I'm expecting far too much character development lol..

The impression I'm getting is that she's not so much portrayed as the main hero but does steal the movie. That may be because of the more multidimensional elements to her character you've referenced or may be because Charlize Theron can be simply incredible in the right role.

When it comes to female characters, I actually wrote an article on this that you're more than welcome to read: https://medium.com/@cjwalley/writing-wo ... 54a51a58b5

[pauli77]

I'm bringing this up more because if these things do fall into place and she is, as she appears, the main hero then this would be quite remarkable for a multi-million pound movie. However, based on the trailers I think I'm expecting far too much character development lol..

The impression I'm getting is that she's not so much portrayed as the main hero but does steal the movie. That may be because of the more multidimensional elements to her character you've referenced or may be because Charlize Theron can be simply incredible in the right role.

When it comes to female characters, I actually wrote an article on this that you're more than welcome to read: https://medium.com/@cjwalley/writing-wo ... 54a51a58b5

You're right about Theron - Monster was sensational, having followed Aileen's story and interviews.

Really good article. For me, Ripley and - on a personal level - Sarah Connor are the best written female characters I've seen in action movies. Ripley, having been written as a man (as you said), shares none of the stereotyping of either gender. However, Sarah Connor is far more interesting precisley because she IS a woman and was the stereotypical frightened victim in the first film. You still have those moments where you see she's trying to hold it all together and be strong for her son and the world - remarkable performance and great writing.

And you kind of hit the nail on the head with my thread. I'm not trying to suggest she may be a lesbian and that is in someway some cheap, erotic, hyper-violent fantasy but that as part of her character it would make her choices more interesting and possibly make her relationship to Max, Joe and the woman more complex and interesting.

There certainly seems some element of emotion displayed at some point, so I'm hoping the character isn't just a "Vasquez" like figure :

[Mad Max RW]

Ripley did have an emotional bond with Newt, the little girl in Aliens. It was further developed in the Director's Cut where it's revealed she had a daughter, Amanda Ripley-McClaren, who died a grandmother while Ripley was in cryo. Then in Alien 3 she got a buzzcut while surrounded by rapists and murderers on an all-male prison planet. The character of Furiosa isn't really breaking new ground and their sexual preference is never questioned or necessary to the story. I'm not sure why in a futuristic post apocalyptic world it would matter. If they can make it work without seeming exploitative or pandering then go for it.

[MWFV8]

Paul, this popped up in my Facebook feed this morning. Certainly supports your argument;
http://www.autostraddle.com/glaad-queer ... es-286141/