Students will select and view a film (or television series) that they feel mis-portrays Indigenous peoples, cultures, or histories. Students will then review (critique) the film and reflect on their experience with it

QUESTION

Students will select and view a film (or television series) that they feel mis-portrays Indigenous peoples, cultures, or histories. Students will then review (critique) the film and reflect on their experience with it;

and should include the following:

• Film name, release date, director(s), main actors, etc.
• Plot summary (synopsis)
• Analysis (How did the film’s the various thematic components affect your experience and interpretation? Did you observe anything that you feel requires specific critiquing or debunking? How were Indigenous people misrepresented?)
• Evaluation and personal reflections (opinions, feelings, critical thoughts, lingering questions, and course connections)

ANSWER

Title: Pocahontas
Release Date: 1995
Director(s): Mike Gabriel, Eric Goldberg
Main Actors: Irene Bedard (voice of Pocahontas), Mel Gibson (voice of John Smith), David Ogden Stiers (voice of Governor Ratcliffe), Russell Means (voice of Chief Powhatan)

Plot Summary (Synopsis)

Pocahontas is an animated Disney film that portrays the encounter between English settlers and the Powhatan tribe in 17th-century Virginia. The story revolves around Pocahontas, the free-spirited daughter of Chief Powhatan, who becomes fascinated with John Smith, a British explorer. As they navigate the cultural divide, Pocahontas and John Smith learn valuable lessons about tolerance, understanding, and the importance of preserving their respective ways of life.

Analysis

While Pocahontas attempts to deliver a message of unity and appreciation for nature, it falls short in its portrayal of Indigenous peoples and their history. The film perpetuates stereotypes by presenting Indigenous characters as mystical and one-dimensional, living in harmony with nature but lacking complexity. Moreover, it romanticizes the relationship between Pocahontas and John Smith, which is historically inaccurate and diminishes the real-life impact of colonization on Indigenous communities.

One aspect that requires specific critiquing is the depiction of Chief Powhatan and his people. They are shown as primitive and superstitious, reinforcing harmful stereotypes about Indigenous cultures. Additionally, the film distorts historical events, making it seem as though the English settlers and the Powhatan tribe were on equal footing, when, in reality, the settlers were aggressive colonizers who sought to exploit and displace Indigenous peoples.

Evaluation and Personal Reflections

As a viewer, I found Pocahontas to be visually stunning, with captivating music and animation. However, I couldn’t help but feel uneasy about the way Indigenous cultures were portrayed and the historical inaccuracies presented. The film missed an opportunity to provide a more authentic representation of Indigenous peoples and their experiences during the colonial period.

My critical thoughts revolve around the responsibility of filmmakers to approach such sensitive topics with cultural sensitivity and accuracy. It is crucial to challenge misrepresentations and harmful stereotypes to foster better understanding and appreciation of Indigenous cultures and histories.

In connection with the course content, I recognize the significance of media in shaping public perceptions and attitudes. Films like Pocahontas highlight the need for media literacy and a critical approach to analyzing portrayals of Indigenous peoples. As future professionals, it is essential to advocate for more accurate and respectful representations in media and challenge harmful narratives that perpetuate stereotypes and misrepresentations.