Moviegoers who fell in love with "Mad Max: Fury Road" may have to wait a while before they get their much-awaited sequel. However, those who need a quick dose of desert-driving action should look China's way.
Hong Kong Cinema has just released a trailer of "Mad Shelia", a film about a woman on a post-apocalyptic desert on Nov. 21. It has gained more than 288,000 views since its publication.
The 53-second teaser is blatant about its creative influences. The trailer showcased an array of characters who are trying to survive and rule the desolate wasteland they call home.
It is an understatement to say that "Mad Shelia" directly copied elements of George Miller's wasteland saga. The post-apocalyptic clothing and vehicles can be mistaken as low-budget "Mad Max" cosplay. Besides the main character being a female, the look and feel of the trailer screams of a carbon cory. Even the video has "Mad Max" rip-off on its title.
Other publications also took note of the Chinese film's copying: io9 pointed out the similarities between the film's posters while the International Business Times noticed that the film's titles also looked identical.
IBT pointed out an interesting nugget behind the possible reason of the film's conception: "Mad Max: Fury Road" never officially released in China. The film was rejected by China's State Administration of Press, Publications, Radio, Film and Television.
It will be interesting to see how "Mad Shelia" will rehash the "Mad Max" universe into a totally new story. While the YouTube comments on the film are already negative, this rip-off might be the one that will quench the thirst for more desert-based death races.
