Comments on: Anawim Theology and Avatar

By: Will McCorkle

Will McCorkle — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 17:09:21 +0000

Avatar’s social commentary cannot be overlooked. In an age where the rich and powerful continue to oppress and take over more natural resources and continue to diminish the plight of the poor, we need a movie such as this to wake us up to these realities.

By: SteveK

SteveK — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 06:19:58 +0000

Excellent NPR video! I especially liked the last comment. Of course, in the movie, the indigenous people had no opportunity for dialog…

By: AlanS

AlanS — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 14:57:27 +0000

I heard a story on NPR this week about indigenous leaders in Ecuador going to see Avatar. It was pretty interesting. Seems to fit with this discussion.

http://www.theworld.org/2010/01/29/avatar-in-the-amazon/

By: Tim B

Tim B — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 21:48:40 +0000

Cameron made a movie about getting back to nature. He made the movie using the most technologically advanced techniques Hollywood has ever seen.

*Bashes head on desk*

By: Will McCorkle

Will McCorkle — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 18:04:01 +0000

I think you bring up a great point. I finally went and saw the movie this weekend. I thought despite the fact of the “white savior” it was an amazing social commentary. I never expected I would come away from the movie so inspired. I have just written about the Social Commentary of the movie at my blog at http://www.essencerestored.com. Thanks for the great post.

By: John Ballard

John Ballard — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 23:25:15 +0000

Good observations.

I went to the film with no expectations and was impressed with the technology and imagination invested in the film. As for message content, it was yet another “white Messiah” incarnation. Think Dances with Wolves, Man Called Horse, Emerald Forest and others which feature a modern hero “going native” and using superior skills/weapons/insights to bring salvation to otherwise noble savages.

That much was trite but commonplace. But the sad part for me was once again seeing the myth of redemptive violence being spoon fed to another generation. Walter Wink’s elaboration of that insight may be arcane but it goes to the core of the Christian message. Once that became clear, all that remained for me was waiting for the last third or fourth of the movie to unwind so I could leave.