Charlize Theron On Why 'Mad Max' Is An 'Incredible Feminist Movie'

Charlize Theron plays a badass action star in "Mad Max: Fury Road," a new movie that shows her fighting for freedom in a post-apocalyptic world. And while there might not have been a particular social slant to the storyline, fans are hailing Theron's character as a feminist powerhouse.

During an interview at the Cannes Film Festival on Thursday with director George Miller, producer Doug Mitchell and co-stars Tom Hardy and Nicholas Hoult, Theron was asked if "Max Max" is a "sort of feminist film."

"You know what I think is even more powerful about it? [It's] that I think George didn't have a feminist agenda up his sleeve, and I think that's what makes the story even more powerful, especially how the women are represented in it," she said. "It's just very truthful, and I really applaud him for that. I think when we use the word 'feminism' people get a little freaked out, it's like we're somehow, like, being put on a pedestal or anything like that. George has this innate understanding that women are just as complex and interesting as men, and he was really interested in discovering all of that. I think through just his need and want for the truth he actually made an incredible feminist movie."

Although some are against this message, Theron is vocal about advocating for gender empowerment.

She recently waxed poetic about why it's important for young girls to know what feminism really means during an interview with Elle UK for the fashion magazine's June 2015 issue.

"This is a good time for us to bring this to a place of fairness, and girls need to know that being a feminist is a good thing," she said. "It doesn’t mean that you hate men. It means equal rights. If you’re doing the same job, you should be compensated and treated in the same way."