'Apocalypto' does disservice to its subjects
"Apocalypto," Mel Gibson's new thriller about the ancient Maya civilization, is exactly that: thrilling. But this entertainment comes at a price.
The Maya at the time of Spanish contact are depicted as idyllic hunters and gatherers, or as genocidal murderers, and neither of these scenarios is accurate. The film represents a step backward in our understanding of the complex cultures that existed in the New World before the Spanish invasion, and it is part of a disturbing trend re-emerging in the film industry, portraying non-Western natives as evil savages.
"King Kong" and "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest" show these natives as uncaring, beastlike and virtually inhuman. "Apocalypto" achieves similar goals, but in a much subtler fashion.
Zachary X. Hruby
Apparently Zack has the same problem as Tucker does with anyone who disturbs his image of "native" Americans as anything other than noble savages who spent all their time discussing art and culture over cocktails. And what the hell is a "non-Western native?"
You get the same answer conservatives get when they complain about Hollywood's tendencies toward historical revisionism, Zack. It's just a movie. Relax.
The Maya at the time of Spanish contact are depicted as idyllic hunters and gatherers, or as genocidal murderers, and neither of these scenarios is accurate. The film represents a step backward in our understanding of the complex cultures that existed in the New World before the Spanish invasion, and it is part of a disturbing trend re-emerging in the film industry, portraying non-Western natives as evil savages.
"King Kong" and "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest" show these natives as uncaring, beastlike and virtually inhuman. "Apocalypto" achieves similar goals, but in a much subtler fashion.
Zachary X. Hruby
Apparently Zack has the same problem as Tucker does with anyone who disturbs his image of "native" Americans as anything other than noble savages who spent all their time discussing art and culture over cocktails. And what the hell is a "non-Western native?"
You get the same answer conservatives get when they complain about Hollywood's tendencies toward historical revisionism, Zack. It's just a movie. Relax.
posted by Anonymous | 8:38 PM
4 Comments:
Dear Steve:
I wrote this note to a guy who had similar problems with my op-ed... It's a political issue really, and one that may have unintended consequences for the Maya . You see, my Mayan friends are outraged by this movie because Gibson has chosen to depict them in a rather unsavory light: noble/evil savage stereotype. They recently survived a decades long civil war in which mass murder was carried out as genocide in Guatemala. Some of my archaeology friends are presently excavating these mass graves in which men, women, and children were summarily executed. There is no such evidence for these activities having taken place in the Classic or Contact periods (as the movie depicts). Since the civil treaty was written and agreed to in the 1990s they have been trying to build their political capital and maintain their language and culture without being decimated. This type of film changes public opinion.. opinions which can ultimately be directed toward political ends. If one were to make a bad movie about Roman history, there are few to non political implications (what, are the Italians going to stop making pasta?), but when you make a movie about a people who have little to no political power, then it is unfair and irresponsible... in my opinion, and that is essentially what my piece was: op-ed. If you made a movie about how african-american slaves somehow deserved to be slaves (and then had Canadians in black face portraying them), I think there would be a riot on our hands.
Sincerely, Zac
See why I'm not relaxin', bro?
It's always good to know we can count on Tucker to post something stupid, pointless, and hateful.
If you take out RT Miller's insults in his posts, he offers nothing of substance. If you take Steve Brenneis' insults out of his posts, he does offer something of substance, regardless if you agree with him or not. Miller's initial reaction is why people like myself are sick and tired of politics: If you express an opinion on something and someone doesn't like it, you're called a racist, bigot, etc. I don't know Brenneis and I don't agree with him all the time, but the posts I read from him aren't racist, bigoted, etc. I thought Zac Hruby gave a good response; too bad Miller couldn't do the same.
Actually, I regret responding to Tucker. I usually try to avoid it. I guess it shows he knows how to push my buttons and I suppose that makes him happy. Whatever.
It's a little difficult for me to make much detailed comment on Apocalypto since I haven't seen it. I imagine I will like it since I enjoy all of Gibson's movies. I also imagine Zachary will be heartened to learn that my opinion of the Mayas (which is actually quite high) will not change a bit after seeing it.
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