Key Takeaways:
* The Dead Don’t Hurt, a Viggo Mortensen film, has brought a fresh approach to the Western genre.
* Mortensen not only starred in the movie but also took the role of the director.
* The film breaks the mold with a female protagonist and two lead characters who aren’t native English speakers.
* A noticeable emphasis on cultural, linguistic, and racial diversity sets this Western movie apart.
* Mortensen stresses the importance of historical accuracy in every aspect of the film, except for the protagonists.
Actor and director Viggo Mortensen has broken the Western genre’s unwritten rules with his new film, ‘The Dead Don’t Hurt.’ Known for its rigid traditions, the Western movie category often features familiar elements and characters. However, Mortensen’s fresh and distinctive approach seems to have ushered in a new era for Westerns.
Creating a Unique Western Film: The Dead Don’t Hurt
Viggo Mortensen has gone above and beyond in his latest venture, starring in and directing The Dead Don’t Hurt. In an exclusive interview with RogerEbert, Mortensen shared how he intentionally deviated from the genre norms, challenging the typical character choices.
He broke away from tradition, casting a female protagonist – a rarity in a typically male-dominated sector. Mortensen explains, “Just because you have an ordinary female character being your central figure, that already makes it different.”
Adding Diversity to the Western Genre
Mortensen also disrupted the Western stereotype of primarily featuring Anglo-Saxon Americans by selecting actors from diverse backgrounds. Driving a message of inclusivity, he insisted on diversifying the cast beyond the norms.
With this step, Mortensen hoped to challenge the Western genre’s reputation of focusing primarily on the experiences of cisgender, straight white men. He wanted to add a different flavor to his film by incorporating as much diversity as possible.
Balancing Authenticity and Diversity in The Dead Don’t Hurt
Despite breaking barriers in terms of characters and their backgrounds, Mortensen showed his respect for the historical aspect of the genre. He was keen on maintaining authenticity in the decor, costumes, accents, and other details of the period. The diverse protagonists were the only elements that he deliberately chose to differ from other Western films.
His dedication to the historical detail in ‘The Dead Don’t Hurt’ made it stand out even more. Mortensen stated, “I thought it was important to be as historically accurate with the decor and the lamps and the clothing and other details but to have a cultural and linguistic diversity to the story and racial diversity.”
Paving the Way for an Inclusive Future for Western Films
Mortensen’s unique approach to executing ‘The Dead Don’t Hurt’ offers a model for future Western films. By featuring a female lead and two non-Anglo-Saxon Americans, he has shown that it’s possible to tell a compelling and authentic Western tale without sticking to the same old stereotypes.
The movie was well-received by the audiences, indicating a positive shift in perspective and possibly paving the way for more diversity and representation in Western films.
For those intrigued by Mortensen’s fresh approach to the Western genre, ‘The Dead Don’t Hurt’ will be available in theatres starting May 31st.
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