Set at the end of the 28th century, the human race has long since abandoned a desolate earth. In order to survive, humanity has been using genetic engineering to adapt to otherworld environments, to the point where changing one’s skin color or gender has become commonplace. On the moon Ganymede, saxophonist Parker (Claudia Black) and guitarist Naia (Tara Strong) develop a close relationship. The two embark on their new relationship and form a new band — but they also must fight for their freedom from the evil Mig (Tim Curry).
After seeing the film, I came to the conclusion that STRANGE FRAME would appeal to many SF/F and romance
fans. Here are my top five reasons why:
1
- Diversity, diversity, diversity
STRANGE FRAME has an incredibly diverse cast of characters. The film assumes from the start that our future world(s) will be racially diverse. STRANGE FRAME accomplishes the very type of diversity that many readers have observed is sorely missing from the science fiction and romance genres.
In fact, when the credits rolled, I did a double take
upon realizing there weren't any white people in it—at least, that I recalled (I
suppose one briefly seen background character could be considered white). The default for STRANGE FRAME is people of
color! That's awesome.
Another layer of diversity is the presence of
genetically engineered characters and characters with disabilities (one is a
double leg amputee). The various types of diversity in STRANGE FRAME felt
really refreshing to me.
2
- Lesbian romance and normalization of GLBQT relationships
STRANGE FRAME features a (non-erotic) lesbian
romance. The best part? Parker and Naia meet in a world where people’s sexual
orientations are normalized. The story celebrates their romance like any other
and thus lends it cross-over appeal. In terms of heat level, I'd characterize the
lovemaking scenes as sensual.
Lesbian romance is an underserved market across all
genres, so it’s fantastic that STRANGE FRAME helped fill this need. This aspect
is especially important considering that G.B. Hajim could have chosen the more
commercial and “safe” route.
3
– STRANGE FRAME embraces both SF and romance
With elements like a far future space opera setting,
a space elevator, genetic engineering, spaceships with A.I. brains, homages to
BLADE RUNNER, and a generous helping of techno-speak, it's clear that STRANGE
FRAME was created by people with a background in and clear love for science
fiction.
The film also fully embraces romance and the
importance of relationships and community. The theme of the impact of science
on romantic love is evident from the very first scene. And during her search
for Naia, Parker makes strategic alliances in order to achieve her goal (as
opposed to the typical lone action hero scenario).
STRANGE FRAME provides
both the "What if…?" sense of wonder as well as an exploration of how
technology impacts our need to bond and belong.
4
- Progressive female characters
Parker and Naia are young and occasionally reckless,
but their personalities are marked by a number of traits that make them
progressive characters, including
* ambition
* artistic abilities
* political awareness
* street smarts
* sexually confident and experienced
* a sense of justice and a desire to fight on behalf
of the oppressed & marginalized
Naia does become a damsel-in-distress, but not,
thankfully, as a result of sexual jeopardy. Each heroine takes a turn rescuing the
other. While I wouldn't have minded seeing that exchange happen more often,
IMHO the film contributes to the number of sci-fi romances involving a jointly shared heroic
journey.
5
- Immersive, Eye-Popping Visuals
STRANGE FRAME is an immersive cinematic experience
given the vast number of trippy, animated visuals. A visually-driven plot might
be one way to describe the narrative. I had a bit of concern about the learning
curve I faced upon engaging with its cut-out animation style, but the visuals
fast became one of the elements I enjoyed the most. The animation style has a
certain rawness I found intriguing.
A few additional tags and viewing impressions
STRANGE FRAME features edgy, adult content such as
bizarre genetic mutations, recreational drug use, and brief nudity.
I watched STRANGE FRAME from more of an intellectual
space than an emotional one. The main reason is that the romance is highly
condensed in the beginning and occurs at an accelerated pace. The lovers spend
most of the film apart, so there’s no significant interpersonal conflict. Instead,
the villain provides the conflict, couple-against-the world style.
Because Parker and Naia spend so much time apart,
those who prefer their romances front-and-center might consider this story to
fall more on the romantic SF side. That would be an accurate way of framing
this story.
That said, STRANGE FRAME integrates the SF and
romance elements tightly enough that if either one were removed, the story would
fall apart.
The film packs in a variety of elements and many of them had potential for more development. One of the first thoughts I had upon
finishing it was that this story might have been better served as a short
series, like the kind currently offered through streaming services or cable
television. Lo and behold, when I researched the film's Wikipedia
page,
I discovered that:
They began with creating a backstory and television series done in GB's unique cutout animation style, and began marketing the film. In 2001, MTV made an offer to finance the film, which included MTV owning all copyrights to the project including ancillary rights. In 2002 Doty and Hajim sketched out the arc for a tetralogy and wrote the screenplay Strange Frame: Love & Sax that was planned as the first installment in what they anticipated would become a series.
Learning that background information made me think
STRANGE FRAME was a bit ahead of its time. A story with a setting as rich,
varied, and far-reaching in scope as the one for STRANGE FRAME deserved an
expanded story structure. I'm bummed the tetralogy never happened, but perhaps
there's hope for the future projects of G.B. Hajim and filmmakers like him.
Your mileage may vary, of course, but STRANGE FRAME is worth
watching if for no other reason than to study what it accomplishes in terms of
diversity and its no-holds-barred approach to the blending of SF and romance. I’d be thrilled if more sci-fi romance authors approached
their stories in similar ways.
Stay tuned for my interview with STRANGE FRAME
director G.B. Hajim!
Joyfully yours,
Heather