THE NEW WORLD (The Movie)

[Coharie Roy]

It's 11:00 p.m., Friday, January 20th, 2006 as I sit down to begin writing this. I just returned home from seeing the 7:30 feature of the movie, THE NEW WORLD.

I am so moved that I feel compelled to write this before my emotions condense into tears of morning dew and become lost in the dawn's first rays of tomorrow morning.

First, let me say that NEW WORLD is not so much a movie as it is a poem ... a song... a hymn. Conventional story telling it's not. In fact, you need to know the historical story by heart, before seating yourself for the two hour and fifteen minute love epic that ensues. Yes, this is a love story. And at first, I was disappointed in the director's interpretation of such a seminal event as "first contact" between two alien races and his having reduced that epochal tumult into a hackneyed ho-hum of daytime soap opera. BUT, then, I began to catch the the director's metaphor - Pocahontas' (supposed) love for Captain John Smith transcended all; Her love of her people, Her love of her God(s)/Great Spirit, and even her love for herself. And of course, her love (just as her people's natural love and desire to rescue from death's door, those in desperate need) was betrayed by Captain Smith (the English/the white race).

But, Captain John Smith is a metaphor also. He's the pristine Adam (sans Eve) in this New World Garden of Eden, waiting for God to deliver him from his ethereal (albeit sometimes violent) paradise, into a structured hedgerow of English-trimed, maze-type baronial gardens.

If you can't see the larger metaphor, even though it violates your recollection of history, you may not enjoy the movie. And, let me tell you, I was put off by several errors (at least as I recall history). Firstly, and please correct me if I'm wrong, the director's Indians wore "war paint" on/over their bodies and faces during times of peace as well as during times of war. Secondly, Opechancanough never went to England (as far as I know). (By the way, Wes Studi was under-used as the famous brother of Chief Powhatan.) (Opechancanough is my personal hero. If I were 25 years old today, and had a new-born son, I'd be hell-bent to name him Opechancanough.)

Also, it was pretty neat to see some of our own brethren (Haliwa-Saponi and Meherrin, as extras. I spotted three or four [I'm pretty sure]).

It's impossible to not pay attention to the music. In both the beginning and the end, there's a haunting, ethereal, and inspiring quality to the soundtrack. It raises goosebumps on your arms and inspires righteous longings in your heart.

And, the cinematography (sp ?) is the director's sine qua non. Words can't describe the rapture of his vision. The assembly of English colloquy (sp?); that is to say, "virgin," "pure," "pristine," holy" are wholly inadequate to express the visual verisimilitude of the new world of THE NEW WORLD. The tall grasses, the flocking birds, the soaring raptors, the tumbling waters of pure unadulterated streams are the untrammeled innocence of the soul of the Indian - the covenant of the Indian's peace with God... before the fall... before the serpent (the white man) entered his Garden of Eden.

Finally, the middle English accents seemed very authentic. The muddy milieu of Jamestown struck this viewer as accurate. And, the savagery of the fighting disquieted even the most ardent of the Indian supporters. (That is to say, our ancestors were some of the most bad-ass warriors you'd ever want to see.)

Rating 3.5 stars (out of a possible 4.0 stars).

Roy

1:15 a.m., Saturday, 1-21-06.

[Saponi 1]

Hi Coharie Roy,

What a great review. I am so glad you enjoyed the film.

Here's my take. My family sat down to view the long awaited New World here in Virginia Beach last night at 7:20.


Yes, you did spot Thomas "Two Feathers " Lewis, Meherrin,
Mary Hope of the Accohanock was also in the scene for the long house. There was lots of footage cut from the film. Apparently, we'll have to wait for the directors cut on the DVD which should be about 3 hours.

I personally did not care for the musical score, it was heavy, prodding and lacked any of the qualities that would have evoked any emotional connection to the Indian aspects. There was not one sound of the drum or of natives singing in the whole 2 and a half hour film. Additionally, the original songs (and drumming) written specifically for the film by some of the core warriors were cut as well and what a shame. The original trailer featured some original work from Marquis Frejo and it gave me absolute chills. There was so much native talent on the set--yet in the film--we seem timid--without form...


While the cinematography was breath taking--they failed to link together a coherent theme. Some how it seems like the story got lost in the weeds...

I agree that Pochantas herself was a metaphor for the New World, pristine, innocent, too trusting etc. John Smith, the solider, the mercenary--took what he wanted--and when Pochantas asked him to run away with her--his response--"Where would we live?" " In the trees, in a hole in the ground?" It was pretty apparent that the solider/warrior was used to loving and leaving. And an indigenous woman? He just some how couldn't figure out where they would live???? Yet John Rolfe offered her a home, marriage etc. John Smith was also a metaphor for broken promises, lies, treaties always broken.
Pochantas learned from his betrayal--never trust the mercenary and turned her back and walked away forever.

I loved the scenes at the Jamestown fort. I'll let you see that for yourself I thought those scenes were the most honest--most real.

As usual, the 'naturals' i.e., US--the Indians were wall paper in a story about us. Any one who has seen Last of the Mohigans,
Dances with Wolves, Squanto, WindTalkers etc--even if the story has a native theme--we become the back drop and the story is always told from a European prospective.

Actually I think the directors of Braveheart or the Thirteenth Warrior would have been able to weave a better narrative--cultural conflict, the politics...and then weave in the 'love story, sparingly--if at all.

My daughters and myself were all extras in the film with numerous other friends, and family. I think that primarily Terrance Malick missed out on a tremendous opportunity to tell a uniquely American story from another prospective. And honestly, I think that was what we had all hoped for--that this artist--Terrance Malick would tell this story--instead he focused on the myth, the legend of John Smith and Pochantas--and the story gets lost in the weeds...

My daughter Blain was in the scene where the village was burned and she told me last night--Mom, if there was a scene that would have made me cry--it would have been the burning of the village--yet we sat there and watched with no emotion--no feeling of connection or empathy.

I think the most honest scenes in the whole movie are the Jamestown Fort scenes..


I watched the Chronicles of Narnia last week--dozed off during the last half an hour--rated it three stars.

The New World, I watched THE WHOLE thing--I'll give it Two and a half stars. I was VERY disappointed, not because of the footage that was cut, but because I feel it really missed the mark.



Saponi1

Let's hear other reviews...





'

[Bill Childs]

I was neutral but had the usual misgivings until I saw the 'trailer' on HBO and decided it WAS just another 'Dances with Wolves' and I had better use for my time.
Thanks for the confirmation.

[Felicia]

Are there any NA films out there that we are selves have or are currently making? If not, we need a production or something going!
Linda, the script writer - What do you think?

I am curious about this, what does everyone think, power in numbers, imagine the potential here?

Why aren't we banning the movie?

-Just some thoughts, here!

[Tom]

Has anyone heard of Canada's APTN ( Aboriginal Peoples Television Network), it is often very interesting available on cable and is delivered in several Native languages.,
www.aptn.ca/
(ps our federal election was available to native communities in 10 first nations languages, I'mnot sure how to say crooked tongue in that many languages !)

[Bill Childs]

!!!!
:)

[Deirdre]

I am so glad that some from this forum saw the movie. I have not had a chance to see it yet, but intend to. Felicia, as I watched Smoke Signals again tonight, I thought of that same question. The ending credits mention the Native AMericanFIlm Association. This was a sundance film. I would really love to own a good film series on Virginia Indians. One that would include Black indians and the mixing that took place as a result of Hampton University (Indian students/Black teachers, etc.).

Deirdre

[Deirdre]

As I think of it, Mississippi Marsala was the closest thing to a Black/Indian love tale that I have seen. In this movie however, Denzel was American and the female was East Indian which presents a different set of cultural mixing.
Deirdre

[1_optimistic]

I have not seen the movie yet but a few people I know would like to meet up and watch it.......does anyone else within the DC Metro Area would like to see this movie?

Erica Lewis:)

[Tom]

Bill the APTN has movie reviews , APTN is a huge Native voice in Canada and gaining global recognition, if theres a good native review it will be there.
A native voice, just one in the USA, I'd look hard to find it in mainstream society, but up here we have 10!.
I hope that "The New World is as good as Dances with Wolves, if it's worse well atleast some one tried!!

[Deirdre]

Hi Erica,

Yes. I'd like to see it with a group that has a common interest. Also, I'd like to follow up on some of our conversations. I've decided that I'm going to live differently. I've decided that I'm going to be about all of who God made me and I don't care how other's feel about it. WHite Indian/Black indian. If it's all there, it's all real, and it deserves to be honored. I've started wearing some of the Native beaded barrets when I sing at country clubs. Gives me a grounded feeling. I'll send an email about seeing the movie with you all.
Deirdre

[Felicia]

What if you could write a script about us, what do you think it should contain?
Like, for instance:

1. "We don't have to look for the promise land, because it is right here, and we have been living on it for thousands of years!"
2. Talk about how we feel a connection to each other, our ancestors, and the earth!

...and so on....

What would you say?

[Saponi 1]

Virginia Indian film will dispel myths of "The New World"
By the Associated Press
February 5, 2006
http://www.dailypress.com/news/local/virginia/dp-va--indianfilm0205feb05,0,3145906.story?coll=dp-headlines-virginia

RICHMOND, Va. -- In Civil Rights-era Virginia, when many wore their ancestry on their sleeve, Kenneth Adams kept his in a back pocket.

He avoided conversations about his tawny skin and bone straight hair and let people reach their own conclusions, often that he was black or Hispanic.

History books and Hollywood westerns had taught Adams, 58, just about anything was better than his true identity--an Upper Mattaponi Indian.

"I felt ashamed of who I was," remembers Adams, now chief of the tribe. "I just didn't tell them because I didn't want to talk about it."

Fighting back against portrayals they say damage self esteem and perpetuate stereotypes, Adams and other Indian leaders are producing an hour-long documentary detailing the history of Virginia's tribes.

Tentatively titled "The Warrior Spirit," the film will take viewers from the tribes' first interactions with explorers, through years of state-mandated segregation and up to the current struggle for federal tribal recognition.

The feature will include shots from Indian cultural celebrations, snippets of life on the Mattaponi and Pamunkey reservations and footage from an upcoming meeting of Indian leaders with English organizers of an overseas Jamestown 2007 event.

Material will come from within the community, not from white "experts," explained director Bryan Reichhardt, owner of Silver Spring, Md.-based BORU Television.

Reichhardt has done projects for PBS and has worked with the tribes on video news releases before.

He'll split interviews between modern leaders reflecting on colonial times and elders recounting "the hunkering down period": a span of roughly 160 years when Adams said fear and frustration pushed the tribes into extreme isolation.

The period includes the dark days of Virginia's Racial Integrity Act, when the law officially limited racial groupings. Back then, marking "Indian" on a birth certificate was a jailable offense.

"It's a very sensitive subject, but we're going to try to talk to elders to get first hand accounts," Reichhardt said. "It won't be a dry documentary of dates and just historical events."

Reichhardt also will tackle issues surrounding the founding of Jamestown, an equally touchy subject.

Indians often have taken issue with film portrayals of events in the nation's first permanent colony, particularly suggestions of a romantic relationship between Capt. John Smith and Pocahontas, the pre-teen daughter of a powerful 17th-century Indian leader. The alleged romance is the topic of the recently released "The New World."

"We're gonna set this Pocahontas story straight once and for all, as much as we possibly can," said Adams, who began talks to preserve the tribes' largely oral histories about a year ago.

The film is scheduled for a January 2007 release. It would coincide with Jamestown's 400th anniversary.

But it wont just rehash the bad, Adams said. It also will celebrate the good: annual church gatherings that kept the tribes in touch and vibrant reservation life that thrives today.

Moreover, Reichhardt said, it will honor those who tribes say, "stood in the gap."

"Those (are) people who lived through those times to bring them to where they are today," he said. "What they really want to do is make it a story of survival--which it is."

The film is being funded in part by a grant from the Virginia Foundation for the Humanities. Producers are still selecting a distributor.

[Deirdre]

I finally saw the film and it left a pretty strong impression on me. The cinemetography was really beautiful, but I was a little disappointed that there was little to no NAtive music for the score. I think that would have added so much to the film that the script could not cover. I was also a little confused at the age of the lead. Wasn't Pocahontas pre-pubescent upon the settlers first landing?

Anyway, as I watched the scene of the village being burned after help was extended to the starving men at the fort I was nearly brought to tears in much the same way some scenes of Amistad hurt deeply. Watching the NAtives walk away from their land, the beginning of removal, was so sad. I know this is just a dramatazation, but it really made me want to see MY story. (sorry folks for harping on this) Yes, I'd really like to see, or better yet, be a part of the research for a drama on Black Indians from the east. How we came to be. How we came to be grouped together; how Indians and Blacks merged at Hampton University. One that would reveal all of the saga including head rights; race laws; Indians owning slaves and owning plantations, later to have them taken away; assimilation attempts that failed; Jefferson's role in the establishment of a white supreme race; all of it. And, how we feel about one another today. I think it is a story that needs to be told accurately.

Deirdre.

[1_optimistic]

I finally saw the movie too and I had to say that I left the theator confused.

I do agree with you too Deirdre. I would like to see a movie or read a book that focuses on Virginia/North Carolina Black Indians......that's right for those of you who don't like the title "Black Indians"....we do exist and I do embrace both of my cultures. Unfortunately, I do not know enough information about my family history/ancesters to make it happen.

Erica:confused:

[collins]

I saw this film on DVD yesterday. I thought it was a pretty good try compared to the past films I've seen on Native Americans.
The costumes were great, but they didn't seem to get much lingering on accept for the special features section on the DVD.

I think they are getting there, but they really need to start focusing more on our side of the story and our prespectives. Also they could have had the Saponi or other Southeastern Siouans in there a little. You would think from watching the film that the Powhatan were the only tribes in the area. They messed up the part about Rev. Alexander Whitaker being dead before he baptized Metoka. They didn't even talk about his brother Jabez. The other thing they messed up was that Metoka or Rebecca had, if my memory is correct, two or three children. I think it was her last child that went with them to England and they both died there. Also I thought she was supposed to have been like 12 when the John Smith incident occured.

Now this next statement may raise some hackles, but I haven't ever thought very highly of Metoka/Pocahontas/Rebecca. She betrayed her people by warning the Jamestown colonists of an empending attack. At the same time perhaps she thought she was trying to save her people by showing the English that not all of the Powhatan hated them. I had many mixed feelings about this film as I do about most of the ones made concerning Native Americans.

Over all I would give the movie a 6 out of 10. They did try in there own way to do the story justice. As always with movies about Native Americans they just don't seem to be able to hit it right on the mark.

I would like to see a movie in the future about how people of mixed ancestry are treated and their journey of self identification.

[Dreaminghawk]

Collins says>>>> I think it was her last child that went with them to England and they both died there.

Actually her son returned to America to claim the 4000 acres on the south bank of the James River left to him by his grandfather, Powhatan. He is the ancestor of all the 1000s and 1000s of Pocahantas descendents. Bolins (many spellings), Flemings and Clacks to name a few.

[collins]

My Pocahontas/Metoka/Rebecca history is a bit rusty. It has been a while since I read about it. Thanks for the correction.

[Dreaminghawk]

Collins, the only reason I knew that was because Becky and I visited the site on our honeymoon. (7 months ago) On the road to the south landing of the Jamestown ferry is a historic site called Fort Smith (named for the never finished breastworks of a fort started by John Smith) This land was a gift from a father to his daughter upon her marriage.

[collins]

http://www.powhatan.org/pocc.html

This is a link I found on Matoaka. I was spelling it wrong as well as not remembering the number of children she had. I take back my piont of view at this piont because I guess I really just don't know the whole story. I have a book called "The Powhatan Indians of Virginia" by Helen C. Roundtree and she doesn't go into the Pocahontas story in that one. (I think Helen C. Roundtree wrote several books on the Powhatans and one on Pocahontas. I probably should try and find them all and read more about it before I attempt a critic on this film.) That is about the only book I've read on the Powhatan with the acception of articles about the the Nansemond with here and there mentions of things.
Oh well, I'm used to eating crow by know. At least I learn more and more by sticking my foot in my mouth, lol. Thanks Dreaminghawk for spurring me on to look deeper into it. In the famous words of Roseann Roseanna Dan "Never mind".
Any body for a crow leg?

[tarcarion]

All,
The above link (from Collins post) states the story as I've heard and surmised it, and even before, I doubted the "Pocahontas saving John Smith" story anyway. It was Capt. Samuel Argall that was captain of the ship Treasurer where she and several friends were lured onto and then held prisoner. I also have a Disney book with that story in it but I won't read it to my grandson, but instead tell him the real story. The marriage between Pocahontas and John Rolfe was one of convenience, sanctioned by the provincial governor, his name escapes me right now, in order to ease relations with the Powhatan, plain and simple! It's one of those "nasty little distortions of history" that makes the "winners" looks like the "good guys"! History is written by the winners! And I didn't go see the movie because I knew how the events were going to be portrayed. Americans, for the most part, don't want to hear the truth and probably wouldn't recognise it if it "slapped them in the face". I'll put my soapbox up now. Sorry for the rant! But this one gets me fired up quick.

Jim
Jim

[tarcarion]

All,
The reason why the Pocahontas story is so "near and dear" to me is that I had a direct ancestor on the Treasurer, captained by Samuel Argall, that arrived in 1613. His name is Capt. John Clay(e), called the British Grenadier. He was sent by the British Crown with fifty soldiers under him (In that time, a grenadier was equal to today's Special Forces.) to protect the settlers of Jamestown and the Crown's investment. I've never proven anything, but I suspect that Capt. Clay had a hand in the Pocahontas kidnapping plot. He was the military leader in charge. But to this day I've never found any evidence to prove this theory.

Jim

[Lone Wolf]

Hello everyone,

I rented the dvd of "The New World" and I thought it was pretty good, especially visually.

I also think that Coharie Roy is right about using metaphors. I can't help but feel that this was a chance to tell the true story. Why use Pocahontas and John Smith in a story that didn't happen? Some people will probably believe this movie shows history as it happened. I'm not opposed to using metaphors but I think they could have used unknown characters and kept it historically correct. I also agree it should have been from a Native American perspective. Most people know the basic story from the colonist's viewpoint.

I think it is worth seeing and afterward, while you have the dvd, don't forget to look at the section on the making of the movie. It was pretty interesting and you may recognize some of the actors.

Dan

[lynne pepper]

[QUOTE=Saponi 1]Hi Coharie Roy,

Let's hear other reviews...




I bought the film and watched it at home.
I found the images haunting and thought about them for days afterward.
But overall I was left with a profound sense of loss.
One of the worst senses of loss, was the landscape. It was the most magnificent of all the lost things.
I haven't watched the film again, and I don't think I ever will.

Lynne

[White Hawk]

I bought the DVD last week since I had heard that they showed Eastern Indians NOT living in teepees. I thought hey that's a start! I believe the Smith story of him and Pocahontas was marketing rubbish to help sell his book on his New World exploits. I was willing to overlook the main "story" of the movie to catch all of the other more interesting visual tidbits. Lovely nature scenes and realistic fort/indian town. (no Teepees).

I ran into a problem with the movie right away, however. I must be too picky because no one else mentioned it. When the NDNs see the ships sailing near the shore for the first time, their amazement was shown by having them slightly crouch, then stand, then sway or rock. It reminded me of the Planet of the Apes movie! From what I read, an indian fearlessly went aboard their ship and received gifts. He in turn went fishing and returned to them a gift of his catch. I do not believe the timid behavior shown on the screen to be accurate. I guess you could say it was poetic license as a way to show the indians as innocent people of nature, "naturals" vs the high tech heavily armed and armored whites who came to take their land. Still, it struck me as showing the indians as too simple.

Still, a movie worth watching.

[lynne pepper]

I bought the DVD last week since I had heard that they showed Eastern Indians NOT living in teepees. I thought hey that's a start! I believe the Smith story of him and Pocahontas was marketing rubbish to help sell his book on his New World exploits. I was willing to overlook the main "story" of the movie to catch all of the other more interesting visual tidbits. Lovely nature scenes and realistic fort/indian town. (no Teepees).

I ran into a problem with the movie right away, however. I must be too picky because no one else mentioned it. When the NDNs see the ships sailing near the shore for the first time, their amazement was shown by having them slightly crouch, then stand, then sway or rock. It reminded me of the Planet of the Apes movie! From what I read, an indian fearlessly went aboard their ship and received gifts. He in turn went fishing and returned to them a gift of his catch. I do not believe the timid behavior shown on the screen to be accurate. I guess you could say it was poetic license as a way to show the indians as innocent people of nature, "naturals" vs the high tech heavily armed and armored whites who came to take their land. Still, it struck me as showing the indians as too simple.

Still, a movie worth watching.



Yes, I recall what you are speaking of. I also read that its believed that Pochahantas was acting as an ambassador of her people when she married Rolfe. I read this in "Facing East Toward Indian Country", a book that I recommend. The author had a lot of illuninating things to say about the first 200 years of Indian and settler interaction all along the east coast, including the rebuttal that a literate Indian wrote in response to some hogwash that Daniel Webster wrote.

I did think that it was effective to show those ships the way they did.....it was as if they landed from Mars. The impression that I had, was that they were entirely alien, almost unnatural....and the settlers were so clumsy, and so out of their own element.

You know, I have to suppose that this movie looks entirely different to people who don't identify with the Indians. What it looks like to them, I find hard to imagine.

I asked my Dad, a long time ago, how could those settlers starve in a land so full of game and food? He told me that those people were from cities, like London and Liverpool, and couldn't find their ass with both hands...his words. When you think about it like that......why the hell did they ever think they could make it? If the Indians hadn't helped them so frequently, I suppose they wouldn't have. But tribes have always had the reputation of never letting a fellow human being starve. Their virtues may have led to a downfall...but virtue never dies.

Be Well,
Lynne

[PappyDick]

Responding to "I also read that its believed that Pochahantas was acting as an ambassador of her people when she married Rolfe. I read this in "Facing East Toward Indian Country", a book that I recommend."

I just read that recently (library copy, I don't have it here now), and also recommend it -- though I can't relate it specifically to this movie, which I haven't seen. Anyway, it's FROM Indian country, not toward... it's toward Europe, basically. The book is by Daniel K. Richter. I'll paste in a link to a pretty thorough book review of it.

http://eh.net/bookreviews/library/0691.shtml

[lynne pepper]

Responding to "I also read that its believed that Pochahantas was acting as an ambassador of her people when she married Rolfe. I read this in "Facing East Toward Indian Country", a book that I recommend."

I just read that recently (library copy, I don't have it here now), and also recommend it -- though I can't relate it specifically to this movie, which I haven't seen. Anyway, it's FROM Indian country, not toward... it's toward Europe, basically. The book is by Daniel K. Richter. I'll paste in a link to a pretty thorough book review of it.

http://eh.net/bookreviews/library/0691.shtml



Heh...I can never remember whether its *from or *toward. I read a library copy, and liked it so much that I bought the book. However, I have so many books, I doubt that I could find this one before next January.

Say, speaking of Library books....a good one to check out is "The Indians of the Southeastern Untied States", Swanton. published by the Smithsonian Inst. , Bureau of American Ethnology. originally published in 1946, third ed 1987.

Sadly, it relates over and over again that little is known of the Sioun peoples. But there is some material in there.

regards,
Lynne