China Has Made A ‘Mad Max: Fury Road’ Rip-Off Called ‘Mad Shelia’ And There’s A Trailer And Everything
Foreign filmmakers blatantly ripping off Hollywood movies is a tradition with a rich and storied history. Name an American film that had a sizable cultural impact over the past fifty years and you are guaranteed to find anunofficial Turkish or Italian remakelurking somewhere on the fringes of the industry. While modern copyright laws have forced these low-budget rip-offs to get a little more creative in how they steal from larger movies, they still exist, offering a fascinating look at how other cultures absorb and interpret American cinema.
Now, China is adding to this glorious tradition withMad Shelia, aMad Max: Fury Roadrip-off so shameless that it steals the original’s poster as well as its aesthetic and title.
It’s no secret that we loveMad Max: Fury Roadaround these parts (it was our favorite movie of 2015). Director George Miller’s fourth film in his post-apocalyptic series is one of the best action movies ever made, a stirring feminist statement and a bonkers joyride into a colorful, arid hell. And it’s obvious that the makers ofMad Sheilaloved it as well, even if the trailer suggests that they may have missed the point of the whole thing. But that may be part of the charm! There’s an admirable, gonzo energy on display in this trailer that makes up for the fact that it looks like it was shot for the price ofFury Road’s catering.
Interestingly, the trailer’s low-budget, cobbled-together look reminds me more of Miller’s original shot-on-weekendsMad Maxrather than the larger, studio-backedFury Road. They may be aping the glossy third sequel, but the spirit on display echoes Miller’s early work…althoughMad Shelia’ssqueaky clean wasteland warriors are a peculiar sight after the grotesque, unkept heroes and villains of theMad Maxmovies. Honestly, everyone involved in the making ofMad Max: Fury Roadshould view this as a compliment. They made a movie that mattered enough that another country decided to make their own version! You’vereallymade it when foreign directors are knocking off your work.
It’s not clear when (or even if) western audiences will have a chance to seeMad Shelia, but here’s the poster, which so blatantly steals the basic design ofMad Max: Fury Road’s most famous one-sheet that I literally laughed out loud when I first saw it.
