I watch science fiction, part 2

There are going to be some spoilers here too, and this time the movie is only from 2015.

I'd heard many good things about Mad Max: Fury Road. I was interested in it from a feminist point of view, but what actually got me to watch was this, about the women who released the water:

http://www.shakesville.com/2015/05/an-observation_22.html

It is easy to miss because it is passed over so quickly. And, even though I am a fat woman, it wasn't so much that aspect as the thought of water suddenly being released and available for everyone. What would that look like? And that was also passed over pretty quickly, though it was still moving.

The villain of the piece, Immortan Joe, controlled the water. That meant that he controlled the people. For those fat women - the milking mothers - that meant that he could hook their breasts up to machines and leave them immobilized. It meant that he could control the warlords and destine them for death with a mythology of the glory it would lead to. It meant that captives could be imprisoned and  used as blood and organ donors. It meant that selected women could be kept in a harem for his breeding, hence their attempt at escape that set off the main plot.

Most of all, for people who were not useful for their beauty or lactation abilities or physical strength, it meant that they lived meager, wretched lives. At times Immortan Joe would set the water flowing, inspiring an ecstasy. It would be quickly shut off, and he would warn against them getting addicted to water. Cute. He must think he's funny.

I suppose we could learn some things from how fleeting his popularity is; when news (with proof) of his death reaches the Citadel, everyone is really happy, even before the water starts flowing. I think it's more to my purpose to talk about the hierarchy, but maybe it all goes together.

Immortan Joe exploits and abuses and is cheered to his face. There are privileged positions under him, which may inspire some additional loyalty. Both Furiosa and Nux still turn against him, perhaps at least partially motivated by the needs of others. For those ranked even lower, getting rid of him is pure joy.

I read something recently about the tradition of asking Cui bono (who benefits), because so many people have been supporting systems and candidates that don't benefit them. I'll grant that it is not the only question to ask, but it is worth asking. It can be part of a good analysis.

Under Immortan Joe, people could live, somewhat. There was still a lot of death, but there was at least some access to necessities, with possibly even luxuries depending on your rank. However, it is all in service to Joe. The brides are the cleanest, and probably get the best care in a lot of ways, but the price for that is degradation and objectification. Among their departing messages as they left, the central one was "We are not things!"

For Joe, they are all things. He might feel more partial to some of the things - mourn some, indulge some - but no one is as real as him.

That monopoly on the water benefits Joe. Does he deserve the adulation and choice? He was the one who secured the water, which may have involved some skill or ingenuity or something. The number of hostile elements in their surroundings may even require giving him some credit for building a strong military; does that justify his rule?

More science fiction for the next two posts.