2. Setting The Stage
• The Mad Max movie franchise, created by George Miller, is a post-
apocalyptic dystopian world set in a future where society has
collapsed and resources are scarce. The film itself provides almost
no exposition for audiences, choosing instead to frame the story with
only the following words: "A few years from now..."

3. Breaking the Stereotype
“From motorcycle gangs to violent legal systems, the "Mad Max"
franchise depicts a world in which the most toxic aspects of
masculinity poison civilization, mutating into something far more
dangerous: monstrous masculinity.”
Personally I do not think that masculinity is a problem here, it more
has to do with inhuman violence and madness that was provoked by
scarce resources, which were depleted in their turn by consumerism.

4. Inspired by the Oil Crisis

5. The Need For Speed
• “After the outbreak of the 1973 October War, which had not directly involved
Australia, the Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries (OAPEC)
placed an embargo on all oil exports, resulting in near quadrupled prices on the
limited barrels of oil throughout the globe. Miller and McCausland both watched
humanity degrade into animal violence as motorists combated for access to gas
pumps. Especially in the secluded Outback, where towns were sparse and
spread apart by miles of road. Where mobility meant life. These themes are not
expressly discussed in the film, and the theme is altogether lost on U.S.
audiences, but Australians at the time got the message.”

6. In terms of metaphors
• The movie uses the imagery of cars and gasoline to comment on issues
such as consumerism, the dependence on fossil fuels, and the dangers of
unchecked technological advancement.
I know it is not real, but it
looks COOOOL !!!

7. • The motorcycle gang that terrorizes the townspeople can be
seen as a metaphor for the breakdown of societal norms and
the rise of anarchic forces. The gang members wear punk rock-
inspired clothing, have mohawks, and engage in acts of
violence and destruction, all of which represent the chaos and
disorder of a world gone mad.
• The car chase scenes in "Mad Max" are a metaphor for the
struggle for power and control. The characters are constantly
fighting over control of the road, and the chase scenes
represent a battle for dominance.

8. Mad Australian Identity to The Max
• "Mad Max" is a dystopian action film set in a future Australia where society has collapsed, and
gangs roam the barren wastelands in search of resources and power. The film's portrayal of
Australian identity is complex, as it presents a bleak and violent world that has been shaped by a
range of historical and cultural influences.
• The movie contributed in laying the foundation for the apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic genre in
movies. Such an effect exceeded the borders of Australia to the home of blockbusters, Hollywood.

9. The Root of All Evil
• The origin of anarchy in Australian culture
• A penal colony is a place where convicts or prisoners are sent to serve their
sentences as a form of punishment. Historically, penal colonies were
established by imperial powers as a way to deal with overcrowding in their
prisons or to rid themselves of unwanted elements in their society.

10. • In the case of Australia, it was originally established as a British penal colony in
1788, with the arrival of the First Fleet of convicts in Sydney. Over the next
several decades, thousands of convicts were transported to Australia from Britain,
Ireland, and other parts of the British Empire. The convicts were typically sent to
work on infrastructure projects, such as roads and bridges, or on farms and other
agricultural endeavors.
Gangsta’s Paradise

14. How did this affect the Australian cultural
identity?
1. Penal Colonization led to a deeper focus on the importance of
maintaining social order and stability which is manifested in the strict
laws and regulations concerning crime and punishment.
2. Australia’s criminal justice system often prioritize punishment over
rehabilitation as a mean of deterrence and retribution

15. The Sweet Spot
• The Australian governing system started to recognize the
importance of helping individuals to reintegrate into society and
lead a better healthy, normal and productive lives after they have
served their time. (Founding programs that provide support and
assistance to ex-offenders, such as job training, housing, and
addiction treatment).

16. Law & Order VS Bureaucracy

17. • One of the key themes in "Mad Max" is the struggle between law and order and the chaotic forces of
anarchy. This reflects the Australian identity as a society that values individualism and
independence, but also recognizes the need for a stable and functional government. The film's
depiction of a lawless society is particularly relevant to Australia's colonial history, as the country
was founded as a penal colony and experienced periods of lawlessness and rebellion throughout its
early history.
Themes in Mad Max

18. No wonder the movie
budget was 350,000
Dollars!!!

19. Survival of The Fittest
• Another important aspect of the Australian identity explored in the film is the
connection to the land and the natural environment. The film's setting in the harsh
Australian outback highlights the country's unique geography and the challenges
that come with living in such an unforgiving environment. This is reflected in the
characters' reliance on their vehicles as a means of survival, as well as their
resourcefulness and ability to adapt to their surroundings.

20. The Lonesome Wolf
• "Mad Max" also portrays a sense of isolation and alienation that can
be common in rural and remote areas of Australia. This is exemplified
in the character of Max himself, who is a lone and tolerant figure that
is disconnected from the society around him. This reflects the
Australian identity as a country that has often been seen as isolated
and distant from the rest of the world.

21. From Zero 2 Hero
• the Australian social commentator and film producer Phillip
Adams condemned Mad Max, saying that it had "all the
emotional uplift of Mein Kampf" and would be "a special
favourite of rapists, sadists, child murderers and incipient
Mansons".
Yet the movie proved to be an all-time blockbuster and
mustered 100 million dollars in revenue.

22. For Donations, we accept:

23. Sources:
• https://openjournals.bsu.edu/dlr/article/download/2715/1633/44
03
• https://deepfocusreview.com/reviews/mad-max/
• https://filmstories.co.uk/features/mad-max-as-an-allegory-for-
the-crack-epidemic/
• https://www.the-numbers.com