 |
| Margaret Atwood |
Hey Mom, Great news!! A TV show of The Handmaid's Tale.
You may remember this. I was supposed to be reading Toni Morrison's Tar Baby for a class, but I picked up Margaret Atwood's The Handmaid's Tale instead. I could not put it down. LITERALLY. I walked around the house with it. I finished it in about 36 hours, as I took a break to sleep, and I read slowly.
The movie was unremarkable, but I am excited for the HULU TV show.
I am thrilled. An ongoing series of one of my favorite books of all time? And as an ongoing dose of episodic fiction? Oh, do not sing those love songs to me unless your'e serious!
This is the book that confirmed Atwood as my favorite writer. I had read Surfacing but that's it. I have two of her books unread as I did not want to read them all have nothing to look forward to. I guess, it's three now that she has a new one out and it's on my stack.
I know you never read Atwood, Mom. But if you're a reader and haven't, I recommend her highly. Star with this one, and then try Alias Grace or Cat's Eye.
The content I am sharing comes from the following two links.
http://www.tor.com/2016/08/24/joseph-fiennes-joins-hulus-the-handmaids-tale-as-the-commander/
http://www.indiewire.com/article/hulu-handmaids-tale-elisabeth-moss-margaret-atwood-book-feminism-20160430
Hulu Making ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’
With Elisabeth Moss May Prove Its (Feminist) Balls
Hulu Making 'The Handmaid's Tale' With Elisabeth Moss May Prove Its (Feminist) Balls
Hulu’s original series don’t just dabble in tricky topics — the streaming service’s
shows are firmly rooted on the edge. The comedy “Deadbeat” fully owns its
4/20 aroma. Drama “The Path” invests deeply in exploring religion and faith.
And if the upcoming “The Handmaid’s Tale” manages to echo its source
material, the series should be a searingly feminist work.
shows are firmly rooted on the edge. The comedy “Deadbeat” fully owns its
4/20 aroma. Drama “The Path” invests deeply in exploring religion and faith.
And if the upcoming “The Handmaid’s Tale” manages to echo its source
material, the series should be a searingly feminist work.
Hulu gave a straight-to-series order on Friday to a show based on
Margaret Atwood’s brilliant 1985 novel. The show, adapted by Bruce Miller
(who, after writing for the CW’s “The 100,” is pretty familiar with
dystopian societies and complicated female protagonists) will star
“Mad Men” alumni Elisabeth Moss.
Margaret Atwood’s brilliant 1985 novel. The show, adapted by Bruce Miller
(who, after writing for the CW’s “The 100,” is pretty familiar with
dystopian societies and complicated female protagonists) will star
“Mad Men” alumni Elisabeth Moss.
If you’re not familiar already with “The Handmaid’s Tale,” it’s time to fix that.
In the book, Atwood depicts a dystopian society in which infertility is an
epidemic, and women now live under brutal patriarchal rule inspired by
specific passages from the Bible.
In the book, Atwood depicts a dystopian society in which infertility is an
epidemic, and women now live under brutal patriarchal rule inspired by
specific passages from the Bible.
The government has assigned Offred (to be played by Moss) to be a childless
high-ranking couple’s vessel for a baby. But the character still remembers the
free world into which she was born, and the daughter from whom she’s been
separated. Offred’s desire to be reunited with her family conflicts with her very
real desire to stay alive in this dangerous time, making her a uniquely
sympathetic protagonist.
high-ranking couple’s vessel for a baby. But the character still remembers the
free world into which she was born, and the daughter from whom she’s been
separated. Offred’s desire to be reunited with her family conflicts with her very
real desire to stay alive in this dangerous time, making her a uniquely
sympathetic protagonist.
Offred isn’t a revolutionary willing to give up her life for the cause. She’s willing
to make the compromises necessary to stay alive, forcing us to confront the
fact that most of us wouldn’t make the brave choice in the face of death.
Most of us would choose to keep breathing.
to make the compromises necessary to stay alive, forcing us to confront the
fact that most of us wouldn’t make the brave choice in the face of death.
Most of us would choose to keep breathing.
It’s the sort of internal conflict that should make for fascinating dramatic fuel,
especially given Hulu’s approach to the project. This isn’t Hulu’s first book
adaptation — the J.J. Abrams-produced “11.22.63,” based on the book by
Stephen King, premiered earlier this year. But while “11.22.63” was
billed as a miniseries with a closed ending, this is meant to
be an ongoing series.
especially given Hulu’s approach to the project. This isn’t Hulu’s first book
adaptation — the J.J. Abrams-produced “11.22.63,” based on the book by
Stephen King, premiered earlier this year. But while “11.22.63” was
billed as a miniseries with a closed ending, this is meant to
be an ongoing series.
“The Handmaid’s Tale” is actually well-built for this, because while it does have
an ending, it’s relatively open-ended. And while the series is (as the title might
suggest) one woman’s story, it takes place within a much larger universe —
one aimed directly at attacking the oppression of women on a micro
and macro level.
This is just one of the fascinating concepts that Atwood finds a way to articulate
as a writer. Her genius ultimately lies in making political issues personal and
human. Even if Moss’s character is written out at the end of the first season for
whatever reason, the show could theoretically continue on. But it’s also not hard
to imagine Offred’s struggle driving several seasons worth of storytelling.
Especially if Hulu allows the show to explore the ideological underpinnings that
make a 31-year-old book still feel terrifyingly relevant.
an ending, it’s relatively open-ended. And while the series is (as the title might
suggest) one woman’s story, it takes place within a much larger universe —
one aimed directly at attacking the oppression of women on a micro
and macro level.
Ever since the book’s publication, “Handmaid” has often been held up as a
cautionary tale, a reminder that women should never grow complacent
about their reproductive rights. It’s not that people literally think the book’s
exact scenario would occur, should Roe v. Wade be overturned (or if ongoing
efforts to erode a woman’s access to abortions and birth control eventually
reach a critical mass). The nightmare scenario presented by
“The Handmaid’s Tale” is far more wide-ranging, depicting a world
where women have been stripped of every basic right.
cautionary tale, a reminder that women should never grow complacent
about their reproductive rights. It’s not that people literally think the book’s
exact scenario would occur, should Roe v. Wade be overturned (or if ongoing
efforts to erode a woman’s access to abortions and birth control eventually
reach a critical mass). The nightmare scenario presented by
“The Handmaid’s Tale” is far more wide-ranging, depicting a world
where women have been stripped of every basic right.
But by taking that “what if” to the furthest possible conclusion, Atwood
captures something quite singular about the importance of abortion and
birth control as women’s rights issues, which is why the connection is often
made.
captures something quite singular about the importance of abortion and
birth control as women’s rights issues, which is why the connection is often
made.
Though Atwood’s points go beyond feminism to a reflection of hard truths
about humanity. “There is more than one kind of freedom… Freedom to
and freedom from. In the days of anarchy, it was freedom to. Now you are
being given freedom from. Don’t underrate it,” one of the collaborating Aunts
tells her handmaids-in-training in the novel. She presents the loss of choice
as a welcome escape, as opposed to an act that dehumanizes one-half of
the world’s population — and it’s an argument that one could,
conceivably, imagine to be convincing.
about humanity. “There is more than one kind of freedom… Freedom to
and freedom from. In the days of anarchy, it was freedom to. Now you are
being given freedom from. Don’t underrate it,” one of the collaborating Aunts
tells her handmaids-in-training in the novel. She presents the loss of choice
as a welcome escape, as opposed to an act that dehumanizes one-half of
the world’s population — and it’s an argument that one could,
conceivably, imagine to be convincing.
This is just one of the fascinating concepts that Atwood finds a way to articulate
as a writer. Her genius ultimately lies in making political issues personal and
human. Even if Moss’s character is written out at the end of the first season for
whatever reason, the show could theoretically continue on. But it’s also not hard
to imagine Offred’s struggle driving several seasons worth of storytelling.
Especially if Hulu allows the show to explore the ideological underpinnings that
make a 31-year-old book still feel terrifyingly relevant.
Despite despite being in the game as long as Netflix and Amazon, Hulu has yet
to succeed in creating original shows that grab awards and attention. But
courting controversy is a way to solve the latter, and if the execution of
“Handmaid’s Tale” proves compelling, it’s hard to imagine that awards won’t be
on the table. “Handmaid’s Tale” won’t premiere until 2017, but this is the exact
sort of ballsy move necessary to stand out in the television world.
Consider this one at the top of our most anticipated list.
to succeed in creating original shows that grab awards and attention. But
courting controversy is a way to solve the latter, and if the execution of
“Handmaid’s Tale” proves compelling, it’s hard to imagine that awards won’t be
on the table. “Handmaid’s Tale” won’t premiere until 2017, but this is the exact
sort of ballsy move necessary to stand out in the television world.
Consider this one at the top of our most anticipated list.
Joseph Fiennes Joins Hulu’s The Handmaid’s Tale as The Commander
Natalie Zutter
Hulu’s adaptation of Margaret Atwood’s dystopian novel The Handmaid’s Tale is getting its cast together before it commences production this fall. Deadline reports that Joseph Fiennes (Shakespeare in Love, Camelot, American Horror Story) will play Commander Fred Waterford—the Fred in Offred, the name of the eponymous handmaid played by Elisabeth Moss.
As a Commander and founding father of the totalitarian Republic of Gilead, Fred both benefits from the fundamentalist system that puts women into various castes serving the state and men, and also bears the pressures of defending Gilead from spies and turncoats. He’s a surprisingly sympathetic character in Atwood’s novel, as—despite himself—he engages Offred in forbidden conversation outside of the fertility rituals that are supposed to be her sole purpose. Fiennes is a keen casting choice for a man who is both distant to a woman who is his property yet also plays illicit games of Scrabble with her.
Hulu has also cast Max Minghella (The Social Network) as Nick, the Commander’s driver, who is also drawn to Offred, albeit in more dangerous ways; and Ann Dowd (Leftovers) as Aunt Lydia, who trains and indoctrinates Offred and her best friend Moira at the Red Center before they are assimilated into Gilead society.
The major cast is almost entirely set; the last big role left to be filled is Serena Joy, Fred’s wife and Offred’s tormentor. The Handmaid’s Tale will premiere on Hulu sometime in 2017.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Reflect and connect.
Have someone give you a kiss, and tell you that I love you.
I miss you so very much, Mom.
Talk to you tomorrow, Mom.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
- Days ago = 426 days ago
- Bloggery committed by chris tower - 1609.03 - 10:10
NOTE on time: When I post late, I had been posting at 7:10 a.m. because Google is on Pacific Time, and so this is really 10:10 EDT. However, it still shows up on the blog in Pacific time. So, I am going to start posting at 10:10 a.m. Pacific time, intending this to be 10:10 Eastern time. I know this only matters to me, and to you, Mom. But I am not going back and changing all the 7:10 a.m. times. But I will run this note for a while. Mom, you know that I am posting at 10:10 a.m. often because this is the time of your death.
No comments:
Post a Comment