Possible inspiration for the Mary/Maria duality?
Posted: 03 Jun 2010
Forgive me if this sounds too contrived, but I can't help but relate Mary and Maria to Maria and Parody from Metropolis.
Besides being similar in namesake, Mary Sunderland's dress reminds me of what Bridgette Helm wore when she played the role of Maria.
Sure, the style is a bit off, but I think that Mary's clothes look out of place for a game set in a fairly recent time, especially when the stuff James wears seems more modern. The similarity brings me to believe that Mary's design was made with a subtle reference to this other maria in mind.
Also, a major plot point in Metropolis is that Maria is kidnapped and her likeness given to a robot that's sole purpose is to be an over-sexualized version of Maria herself. Just as Maria was constructed from James' wish to have a sexual and more lively Mary.
This false Maria (called Parody) goes off to a local night club to dance and instill lust in men in order to cause chaos. Sorta like what Maria does in heaven's night, or at least is hinted to have done.
And finally, Freder, the main character of Metropolis, falls for Maria in the first minutes of the movie. The movie deals with his search for his divine Maria, who once found, is captured and replaced with the sexual parody leaving Freder in shambles..
I couldn't help but notice these parallels despite the large difference in theme between the two materials. Do you think it's possible that Metropolis played a part in the conception of the Mary and Maria duality? Metropolis is highly regarded worldwide I believe, I would think at least a few members of team silent could have known of it.
Besides being similar in namesake, Mary Sunderland's dress reminds me of what Bridgette Helm wore when she played the role of Maria.
Sure, the style is a bit off, but I think that Mary's clothes look out of place for a game set in a fairly recent time, especially when the stuff James wears seems more modern. The similarity brings me to believe that Mary's design was made with a subtle reference to this other maria in mind.
Also, a major plot point in Metropolis is that Maria is kidnapped and her likeness given to a robot that's sole purpose is to be an over-sexualized version of Maria herself. Just as Maria was constructed from James' wish to have a sexual and more lively Mary.
This false Maria (called Parody) goes off to a local night club to dance and instill lust in men in order to cause chaos. Sorta like what Maria does in heaven's night, or at least is hinted to have done.
And finally, Freder, the main character of Metropolis, falls for Maria in the first minutes of the movie. The movie deals with his search for his divine Maria, who once found, is captured and replaced with the sexual parody leaving Freder in shambles..
I couldn't help but notice these parallels despite the large difference in theme between the two materials. Do you think it's possible that Metropolis played a part in the conception of the Mary and Maria duality? Metropolis is highly regarded worldwide I believe, I would think at least a few members of team silent could have known of it.