In an age of landmark films like Black Panther that emphasize traditionally underrepresented female heroism, deleted scenes have provided new meaning to films that are already wildly acclaimed. One such deleted scene, featured in the Netflix hit This Strange World, has been interpreted as a poignant depiction of female heroism.
The deleted scene appears in the movie’s climactic sequence. Set in a miserable future world full of suffering and struggle, a brave young woman is fleeing from wild creatures with her family. In what was intended to be the film’s most impactful moment, the woman sacrifices herself so the rest of her family can escape.
The movie’s director, Tom Hooper, spoke at length about why the scene was ultimately cut from the final product. Essentially, it was felt that the scene stopped the narrative flow and slowed the action down too much for the audience to really appreciate the moment of heroism.
Hooper identified the deleted scene as “the moment of true heroism in This Strange World.” He and the cast, in particular the heroine, were disappointed to have had to cut such a poignant moment.
The scene is still available to view online, where it has become a popular conversation piece among viewers. Despite not being included in the text of This Strange World, it can be read and appreciated as a poignant and powerful testament to female heroism. In a world where women are not traditionally celebrated as heroes, the deleted scene provides an opportunity to consider the concept of heroism in a different, more meaningful way.
In this contested future world there are few opportunities for light and hope to shine through. The deleted scene of the heroic woman risking everything for her family’s safety ends this story on an uplifting note, allowing us to appreciate the beauty of the female hero without having to stop the immediate action of the movie. It is this moment that highlights a heroine moment and celebrates underexplored representations of courage and strength.
