Gender roles in Luc Besson's films?

Question

Besson has some very interesting things to say about this off-camera and on. His casting is also very atypical, especially for female leads.

If you're not familiar with his work and what he says about it, this might not be a good question for you.

All of his films are interesting, but here are some of the more interesting ones from the perspective of gender roles:

Nikita (La Femme Nikita)

Leon (The Professional)

The Fifth Element

The Messenger: The Story of Joan of Arc

Angel-A

Anybody?

Answer 1

Nikita must do and stay in a job no one would envy. Joan of Arc faces a destiny God has given her against all odds. The girl in "Leon" must see for herself in a lawless environment. The fifth element portrays a demigoddess that must take a part in the perpetuity of a species she sees as abhorrent. (I didn't see Angel-A.)

Actually I would say they are all women facing great tasks. They haven't really chosen the path in which they find themselves though. They manage to pull ahead, I agree, but at a high cost. Marvelous women, no doubt.

Answer 2

Yeah, usually powerful women, in powerful roles.  Leon the Professional was fantastic!

Answer 3

I don't think I ever saw an entire film by Besson.  What I like about him though is that he pays attention to details.  I remember catching part of one on TV while I lived in France and the blonde wasn't wearing any panties.  When she gets into a fight later you get a glimpse of her genitals.  Not a big deal to me.  Fa (body wash) used to show a woman's b*****s while she showered.  Just a commercial.  

I really think it's not a question of Besson though.  In France, and in Europe in general, people are a lot more open minded when it comes to s*x and don't blush every time they see a boob.  We could talk about this for hours.  Though I spend little time watching TV of any sort while abroad, I notice that Hollywood s*x gets on my nerves whereas French s*x in films doesn't.  

Someone said that US-anians are puritanical hypocrites when it comes to s*x.  I could care less, I'm not in the business of what one should or should not do.  I do however believe that one of the main reasons US Americans are some of the unhappiest people on earth is because of this very attitude.  

I also notice that French characters are more androgynous, a nice balance of yin and yang, even in traditional roles.  In those films, people are people first, then they have genitals.  I think that's how it should be, but... hey, to each its own.

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As a side note, try watching Todo sobre my madre.  I believe it translates as All About My Mother, by Pedro Almodovar.  Interesting stuff.

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Oh, and I realize I didn't exactly answer your question, but this is sort of where it took me.

Answer 4

He really is a great man; he cared about plots and story lines. His movies really made you feel something whether you loved it or hated it. There aren’t any stupid cliches, just pure cinematic brilliance. Unlike most of the bull they are churning out in hollywood today. Have you seen The Kovak box directed by Daniel Monzón? That really is worth a watch, it’s a bit insane.

Also the fact that he worked with David Bowie makes me love him more. HA