A rich girl who loves vanity, for the title of a baroness, married to Africa.
1. Southern Africa takes the Oscars for the first time
This is the first time the Oscars have set their sights on Black Africa. The story begins in 1913, just before the outbreak of the First World War, when the imperialist powers were also at the peak of the partition of Africa. At this time, Karen, the heroine in the movie, did not hesitate to marry to Africa for a name. Her nominal husband, Bo Ruo, is a nobleman who likes to mess around with flowers. This beautiful and divorced marriage did not break down the optimistic Karen, but instead allowed her to gain love. Although in the end Karen, alone, left Africa where she had lived for 20 years. But she uses delicate stories unique to women to let people know about that mysterious land and her extraordinary love.
At the beginning of the 20th century, women had not achieved too high social status, especially in conservative Britain. Karen is a woman who married far away to Africa and suffered a miserable marriage. Her strength and optimism are commendable. She in the movie, or the gentlemen from the civilized society, seems to have brought faith, civilization and modernization to Black Africa. This missionary mentality, in my opinion, is more of a kind of charity to low-end civilizations and teachings to those "backward primitive religions". But they seem to have forgotten that it was these white predators who brought death, poverty and backwardness to southern Africa. According to reliable statistics from the drama, the slave trade that began in the 16th century caused at least a loss of more than 200 million people in black Africa. The loss of this young and strong labor force and the destruction of the original civilization are incalculable. And the white aristocrats in the movie seem to be showing a civilized and guiding attitude. The image of African blacks is basically depicted as slaves, servants, favorite girls and barbarians. In fact, this is still a movie that celebrates the good news that white people bring to Africa.
2. How did modern independent women have an inevitable connection with backward Africa?
The film is undoubtedly a tribute to Karen, who is portrayed in the film as a strong, modern woman. Marriage, illness, bankruptcy and the departure of her lover did not break her. This also allowed her to finally get the respect of all the members of the local noble men's club. It makes no sense that the image of women in Hollywood movies has gradually changed since the 1960s, when the women's affirmative movement flourished. From the conservativeness of the old mother in "Marty" in the 1950s, the obedience of Kiki in "The World of Gold Dust", the bound Eliza in "My Fair Lady" in the 1960s, and the independent tendencies that began to sprout in "Annie Hall" in the 1970s , In the early 1980s, women's independent groping in "Mother and Daughter Love". And Karen in "Out of Africa" can be said to be more progressive. Whether it is the initiative of marriage or the management of the farm, she is struggling against her destiny alone. Unlike Aurora in "Mother and Daughter Love", Karen is not attached to men in the end. Although her experience was tragic, she lived a better life than most men. This should be the best example of everyone being equal before God.
The beauty of Kenya is undeniable, with endless green savannahs, canyons full of ravines, and the snow of Kilimanjaro. This charming and wild place is just right for city people who are tired of high-rise buildings and intrigue to send their love to the landscape. The development of society and the outbreak of science and technology make people feel that their hearts are shackled. Dennis, Karen's lover in the movie, is someone who is eager to break this bondage. He prefers hunting and silent African companions to etiquette and civilization. Although he picks up girls in cars and planes, he doesn't seem to want to return to the so-called "civilized world." This kind of thinking seems to be a bit contradictory. It not only wants the convenience brought by technological progress, but also wants the original scenery, so that one can detach from it. Of course, this middle-class American way of life is actually highly respected and promoted by Hollywood. This also makes it easy to explain that these "guardians" are unwilling to let some primitive places experience the pollution and pain caused by industrialization.
3. Is returning to the mainstream the best place for modern women?
Africa in the movie is undoubtedly a paradise, where a group of dissidents who are not accepted by modern urbanites are accommodated here. From single aristocrats to open marriages, from cross-colored love to wanton hunting of wild animals. The development of modern urban civilization, while constraining people's behavioral norms, is also stifling some of people's pursuits. This may be the so-called lack of one avenue. After the life of human beings has been greatly improved, they are not happy, especially the sensitive middle class, who always feel that they are lacking something.
Man and nature always have to compromise. Just like marriage, two people who refuse to give in will inevitably end up going their separate ways. Black people and women have always been the subject of Hollywood political correctness. The film "Out of Africa" combines the two themes. At the end of the film, the heroine in the film finally walks out of "Africa" and returns to modern urban civilization. This also finally expresses the director's hope that women can "return from the lost" and return to traditional and mainstream creative ideas.
View more about Out of Africa reviews
