Hannah Winne - Blog Post 3

1.     Summary:

After returning to the citadel with a dead Immortan Joe, Max, Furiosa, and the mothers are allowed onto the lift by the children; instead of throwing people off the lift like in a similar scene close to the beginning, they’re pulling them on. Suddenly, Max is no longer on the lift, and is instead on the ground looking up at Furiosa as a kind of farewell as he slinks away quietly.

2.     Observations

Observation 1: Before being allowed on the lift, Max was helping Furiosa stand

Observation 2: Music begins to swell as the lift rises.

Observation 3: The former milkers are now dressed in white, and has turned the levers to let the water flow to the people.

Observation 4: Everyone looking to the flow of water, off camera into the distance – seemingly looking forward.

Observation 5: Zoom in to an extreme close up on Max, who then looks at Furiosa thoughtfully.

Observation 6: Extreme long shot on the citadel, brighter colors (the water, blue sky, and vegetation on top) than before.

Observation 7: Low angle on the lift as it’s rising

Observation 8: Cut to Max on the ground, cut between high angles on Max and low angles on Furiosa

Observation 9: Slight high angle on Furiosa’s back as she’s looking at the crowd of people.

Observation 10: Low angle on the women looking down as the lift continues to rise until it covers the entire shot.

3.     Implications – Observation 7

Implication 1: After having assisted Furiosa throughout almost the entire film, Max has decided that she no longer needs him.

Implication 2: Max was on the lift standing with the other women – he made the active decision to get off.

Implication 3: The lower angles on Furiosa and higher angles on Max in this shot signify not only their physical position in relation to one another, but also their shifting social relative positions.

Implication 4: Max and Furiosa nod at one another, as a way of saying thank you, and good luck.

Implication 5: Their expressions toward one another are warm, friendly.

Implication 6: While the shots on Furiosa are close ups, shots on Max are farther away, allowing the viewer to associate with Furiosa more.

Implication 7: While Max turns away to leave, Furiosa continues to look at him or to the crowd below.

4.     This scene is representative of the shift of power from men to women. The way it’s presented implies hope for the reforms a new, alternative society created by women. Max, who was already on the lift, decided to get off. He could’ve easily reached the top and assumed his patriarchy-ensured position of power, but instead decided that it was not his place. His glance to Furiosa signifies his knowledge that it’s time for different leadership. The entire film is a discussion of the failures of patriarchal leadership, such as corruption and greed, which have led to environmental and economic destruction. Juxtapose this with the “many mothers:” mothers are capable of creating life and nurturing it, therefore are capable of reviving a dead world.