Movie Boycott -Stereotyping Native People

[Greg Whitworth]

Precisely, thank you for cutting to the heart of the issue here.  For those
who are interested in "thicker" (secondary) descriptions of life in
Tenochtitlan as well as an interpretation of native accounts of the
conquest please see Clendinnen's works: The Aztecs and "'Fierce and
Unnatural Cruelty': Cortes and the Conquest of Mexico".

Cheers,
Greg Whitworth



At 02:24 PM 1/23/00 -0700, you wrote:
>
>"Art is a lie that makes us realize the truth."  -- Pablo Picasso
>
>I plan on seeing this film and will watch it with the same skepticism I have
>watched other historically interpretive films such as "The Last Temptation
of
>Christ" or "The Messenger."  Being an art teacher and armchair film critic,
>I'll have ample opportunity to speak with the children in my life about race
>and representation in popular culture, not to mention their responsibility,
>as art-makers, to make people think with art.
>
>That's right.  Good art makes people think.  Spending my cash on a film that
>may or may not cast entire races and practices in stereotypical light does
>not equate with supporting the moral principles of the film or its makers.
>Boycotts are ineffective because they avoid the issues rather then meet them
>head-on.  If we are to be warriors of knowledge we need to know what books
>and films (and websites!) our children are attracted to.  This includes even
>really bad or misleading material.  I look forward to seeing El Dorado
>precisely so I can post movie reviews to my non-Nahua related message
forums,
>and make it clear were steroetpyes and misconceptions persist (if any at
all).
>
>This film is not an obstacle.  It is an opportunity with far-reaching
>potential.
>
>Anyone who wishes for a little more infomation before deciding whether to
see
>this film may view the supporting website at http://www.roadtoeldorado.com
or
>view the short movie trailer at
>http://www.enjoytheshow.com/trailerpark/0815yy.html
>
>Alison King
>