The Oscar-winning film "Around the World in 80 Days" in 1957 is a slogan of Western civilization for their enlightenment movement to the industrial revolution. They use their own ideas to transform the world and the way of life and thinking of people all over the world. And compliment it, complacent. They feel that they are not only transforming the old world, but also bringing a truly "modern" civilization to the nations of the world. But does this way of life full of unity and bondage really make the world full of beauty?
The answer is obviously no, just like the Native Americans in the movie, they were given an Indian name by outsiders and they are still used today. Originally, they lived by water and grass, and lived a life of slashing and plowing. When there is a good harvest, you can also make villains or something, which is very freehand.
But when white colonists came to the continent, they did not bring peace and prosperity. Instead, it was the endless westward movement and looting. In the face of those who held primitive bows and arrows and did not know the so-called civilization, the blond and blue-eyed Anglers had a sense of mission. They want this group of people to accept, what the West calls values and religious beliefs. Of course, the first batch of desperadoes who went there did not have much ethics, and they also lacked the consciousness and means of moral education. They only knew how to plunder and destroy. This so-called pioneering is the "Westward Movement" that Americans believe has reshaped the American spirit.
It is in this context that our hero, Lieutenant Dunbar, came to this "uncivilized" land. The purpose of his coming here was to see the legendary herd of bison. However, he soon discovered that there are still kind and unyielding Indian Sioux people here. And a white woman who has been Indianized -- the man on the fist. The Sioux people's more joyful naming method also expresses their advocating nature and carefree character. Of course, this character brings infinite disaster to them who are in the westward movement of the United States.
Two different civilizations, the most difficult and the most important step is to communicate. This requires a lot of trust and patience. Fortunately, among the restless Sioux, there is an elder - Kicking Bird. He was full of patience and trust in Dunbar. At the same time, he also punched the white girl he picked up and introduced him to Dunbar. This kind of plot setting, although progressive. But still can't hide, that kind of white conservative tendency. Of course, if it is too detached, it will not win the favor of the Oscar judges.
However, compared with the rigidity of the blacks in the 1986 Oscar's best "Into Africa", the white blacks in the 1968 Oscar's best "Hot Summer Night", and the 1976 Oscar's best "Left Over the Cuckoo's Nest" is somewhat detached. "Chief". The Sioux people in the movie are more real, and people can feel that although they are a bit barbaric, they are not lacking in wisdom. Although these Indians have no words and magnificent buildings, they have their own heritage and awe. The kind of tolerance that the director hopes to express, the tolerance for differentiated civilizations, although this is a bit of an afterthought, the spirit it expresses is commendable. It is also those Europeans and Americans who use violence to force others and accept their universal values need to pay attention.
From the black soldiers in the 1987 Academy Award for Best Field Platoon to Friedman in the 1990 Academy Award for Best Drive for Miss Daisy. The image of ethnic minorities in Hollywood movies is portrayed more and more positively, and it is closer to reality. This is not just a result of the post-affirmative movement in the United States. It is also the political correctness that the incumbents of the United States have to emphasize in order to ease domestic conflicts. "Dances with Wolves" director and actor Kevin Costner, in the film, gives what he thinks is a multi-ethnic state, how it can generate national identity. It is to insist on some cultural identity, rather than simple skin color identity and ethnic identity.
This concept of cultural identity has also existed in China since ancient times. However, in the contemporary context, whether it can be done, or even better, requires our constant exploration and discussion. But the foundation is communication and trust, not demonizing something. Although the director proposed a vague concept of cultural identity, it seems that he failed to further enhance the specific method of identity. The Indianized white woman named "The Man on the Fist" in the film is the best explanation. Her appearance is the result of a cultural fusion, but in reality, it should be more of an Indian woman who began to dress in the West. Of course, this setting may also be to satirize the inclusiveness of white people. So far, white supremacy still uses skin color to judge a person's dignity. In the film, the Sioux chief Ten Bears showed tolerance for Dunbar far more than the tolerance of the American Expeditionary Force for the Sioux.
In the end Dunbar took his fist to the station and left the Sioux. Maybe it was because he was tired of the so-called "Western civilized society", or maybe he chose to run away because he didn't want to be charged with treason. In the context of the westward movement at that time, a lieutenant Dunbar could not play any role. Some people think that the westward movement embodies the optimism and pioneering spirit of Americans. Others feel that what they have brought is the destruction of civilization and the killing of indigenous peoples. The movie "Dances with Wolves" seems to be reflective. And this kind of reflective mood can be recognized by the mainstream at that time, which also shows its progressive significance.
For the destruction of the environment, it may be able to restore to its former appearance with the self-regulation of nature. But the destruction of Indian civilization and the killing of these natives is irreversible. But for the Indians, and even for all civilizations other than non-Western civilizations, it is a contradiction. After all, the industrial revolution that has lasted for two hundred years has indeed brought about an explosion of convenience and materiality, but it has also completely broken the previous tradition, and we have to completely westernize. In a situation that has not been seen in human beings for millions of years, even the Europeans and Americans who brought these things are a little lost, not to mention us who enjoy the fruits of these developments. Therefore, how to maintain their excellent traditions and persistence is actually something that everyone needs to face.
View more about Dances with Wolves reviews
