[RSCT] [MCP] Films about Genocide? Films about Hegemony?

[Jennifer Schmitt]

Hi There,

This is an interesting discussion. I thought I would add a thought on  
Apocalypto.

The film has been criticized by indigenous communities for being  
narrow in its depiction of the Mayan people. Some have argued that the  
undertones of "savagery" fit nicely with narrative used to subjugate  
the Mayans under European rule.

Also, the imagery is both disturbing and gorgeously shot. It has the  
look and feeling of being "authentic," but because so little of the  
culture survived, much of the story is fabricated. It shouldn't be  
watched without a critical eye.

Thanks again for the interesting discussion.
Jennifer Schmitt


On Aug 26, 2008, at 11:12 AM, Daniel Chapman wrote:

> Specifically about Rwanda is "The Last Just Man" and "Shake Hands  
> with the Devil."  Both look through the eyes of Romeo Dallaire who  
> was the UN Force Commander during the genocide.  He tried to get the  
> world's attention, but in the end he could only watch with horror at  
> what happened.  When he returned to Canada he had many demons to  
> fight with what he saw as his failure.  They are mainly about the  
> genocide, but they use his story as a framing device.
>
> Dr. Daniel E. Chapman
> Department of Curriculum, Foundations, and Reading
> Georgia Southern University
> (912) 478-5715
> dechapman at georgiasouthern.edu
> "What difference does it make to the dead, the orphans and the  
> homeless, whether the mad destruction is wrought under the name of  
> totalitarianism or the holy name of liberty or democracy?"
> -Mahatma Gandhi, "Non-Violence in Peace and War"
>>>> "Carvallo, Lisa" <Lisa.Carvallo at montgomerycollege.edu> 08/26/08  
>>>> 8:23 AM >>>
> Here are a few for thought -
>
> The Killing Fields - the true story of a Cambodian journalist who
> survived the horrors of Pol Pot's regime
> Apocalypto - genocide of indigenous populations
> The Devil Came on Horseback - Dafur genocide
> Salvador - the war in El Salvador
> Voces Innocentes - the war in El Salvador as experienced by a young  
> boy
>
> Good luck!
>
>
>
> ________________________________
>
> From: mcp-bounces at edchange.org [mailto:mcp-bounces at edchange.org] On
> Behalf Of Paul C. Gorski
> Sent: Monday, August 25, 2008 12:47 PM
> To: mcp at edchange.org; name-mce at nameorg.org; rs at criticalteach.org
> Subject: [MCP] Films about Genocide? Films about Hegemony?
>
>
> Hello, friends.
>
> I'm trying to identify a few films that deal with genocide/ 
> holocausts. I
> know of some of the popular ones such as Hotel Rwanda, but I wonder if
> you have any other ideas. Does anybody know, for example, of a film  
> that
> frames the annihilate of Native Americans explicitly as genocide? Or
> African slaves in North America? What about something related to  
> native
> peoples that might be even more contemporary? Or even something about
> Rwanda other than Hotel Rwanda? Or something that looks across several
> different genocides?
>
> If you could send me a title and short description of any ideas you
> might have, that would be wonderful.
>
> I'm looking, as well, for films that might capture the notion of
> hegemony for first year undergraduate college students. Any ideas on
> this?
>
> Thanks for any help you offer.
>
> Best,
>
> Paul
>
> -- 
> Paul C. Gorski
> New Century College, George Mason University
> Founder, EdChange: http://www.EdChange.org
> President-Elect, Nat. Assn. for Multicultural Education:
> http://www.nameorg.org
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>
>
>
>
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