MovieChat Forums > The Dark Crystal (1982) Discussion > Kira is heartless

Kira is heartless

posted 10 years ago by TryfanofDuncton
11 replies | jump to latest

I saw this for the first time at the weekend and was struck by how little empathy Kira shows. The beings that took her in and raised her have their village raided and many of them are kidnapped to be be turned into slaves.

All Kira does is call for Jen and run away. She doesn't express a moment of sorrow, except to say 'that it always happens'.

And then she summons two landstriders to take them to the castle and then urges them into a battle they have no part in and they die and again she shows now guilt or sorrow at all.

Her complete lack of empathy suggests psychopathy, an unusual character trait for a heroine!

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In that enchanted place on the top of the Forest a little boy and his Bear will always be playing.

[–] prop_fan 10 years ago

Interesting thought. However it didnt bother me.
Maybe Kira is used to all these happenings. As she says 'that it always happens'.

[–] Im_your_Papi 9 years ago

I know it's a late reply..........

And you do make a point, she's already desensitized at these types of scenarios because they've lost their shock value since "it always happens". If you've read or skimmed through HG Well's 'The Time Machine', the Podlings and Garthim kinda share the same type of parasitic symbiosis between them like the Eloi and Morlocks. Like the Eloi, The Podlings are not exactly intelligent, they tend to fool around, and partake in food and drink in excess. In turn The Garthim are like the Morlocks, which hunt and capture the Podlings for their Skeksi masters.

As for Jen--having lived a sheltered and easy life--everything is new and surprising to him and of course, he's going to be much more emphatic to others.

[–] terikinz 9 years ago

Those were different days back then, it was commonly thought that female puppets, like Kira, would be considered less desirable for mating purposes with make puppets, such as Jen, if they suddenly went Samurai on the enemy (Skeksis), not only that but the string holding the puppets were very likely to be cut by weaponry. So Kira was just behaving as she was required by her puppet handlers.

[–] RipperRoo28 9 years ago

Oh my goodness.

I ate a pear. I ate three pears. - Lizzie Borden

[–] avia2 8 years ago

My understanding is that Kira is at one with nature. She accepts the cycle of birth, death and reincarnation whereas Jen is more sheltered and sensitive to change. She views all of creation as united, so in a way no one ever really dies.

[–] froggyandtoadie 8 years ago

Beautifully said.

[–] glr-beltran 8 years ago

She couldn´t fight the Garthim herself anyway

[–] TalesfromTheCryptfan 8 years ago

Agree with that.

"Unicorn, mermaid, vampire,sorceress! No name you'd give her would surprise me i love whom i love"

[–] 9 years ago

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[–] 8 years ago

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[–] fiatlux-1 7 years ago

I saw this film in the '80s, and many times since, and I agree about Kira.
I have always considered her heartless & cold for a character that is supposed to be a Good Guy.
She basically leads every creature she is in contact with, including Fizzgig, the Landstriders, and her own friend Jen to their demise or close to it.....without a drop of sadness.

I'd say this cloud is Cumulo Nimbus.
Didn't he discover America?
Penfold, shush.