The film Fitzcarraldo gives its audience many things to ponder. "Cayahuari Yaco the jungle Indians call this country, the
country where God did not finish his creation. Only after man has disappeared
do they think he will finish his creation." From the very beginning of the film, the quote gives the idea that the land is unfinished and still has much to be done to it, but the Natives believe that work is to be done by God. During the film, work is done, but maybe not that which was originally thought of. The second part of the quote suggests that this work is not meant to be done by man, but God alone. The movie suggests that the men who arrive in this land are "playing God" by accomplishing their work using the land and the people who have been waiting for someone to appear and grant them salvation. Even though we see the church in this film, it is portrayed in a negative light. The church is there to convert the Natives to Christianity and they do speak poorly of those who will not or cannot convert. We even see this as the church turns the young Native population against the older population of the Natives. The priest asks the young if they are Indians. The response is negative, as the young believe Indian is a negative term as they disagree with identifying that way. They claim that Indians are those who cannot read or wash their own clothes.
We see a juxtaposition throughout the entire film of class and race, starting with Fitz and his girlfriend walking through the village in which they live. They are the only white people living there, and they are the only ones who are dressed as if they are a part of high society. When Fitz is arrested, he is in his own jail cell while he looks across to see other men crammed into an even smaller cell. When the men on the steamboat reach their destination, they seem even more out of place as the Natives are dressed in traditional painting and clothing.
A quote I found very interesting was made by one of the upper-class men. "The chance to be someone's friend and rival in the same place does not present itself often. To me, this quote encompasses a lot of imperialism and democratic societies today. While those that come into land that is not their own may think they are being a friend, they actually wind up doing more damage and becoming a rival, whether or not they know it and whether or not it is intentional.
I also found a connection to the Pablo Neruda poem when there is the image of the flies around the light. These men are like flies or moths to a light when it comes to an opportunity to make money, or an opportunity to be successful, as the opera house is for Fitz.
We see a juxtaposition throughout the entire film of class and race, starting with Fitz and his girlfriend walking through the village in which they live. They are the only white people living there, and they are the only ones who are dressed as if they are a part of high society. When Fitz is arrested, he is in his own jail cell while he looks across to see other men crammed into an even smaller cell. When the men on the steamboat reach their destination, they seem even more out of place as the Natives are dressed in traditional painting and clothing.
A quote I found very interesting was made by one of the upper-class men. "The chance to be someone's friend and rival in the same place does not present itself often. To me, this quote encompasses a lot of imperialism and democratic societies today. While those that come into land that is not their own may think they are being a friend, they actually wind up doing more damage and becoming a rival, whether or not they know it and whether or not it is intentional.
I also found a connection to the Pablo Neruda poem when there is the image of the flies around the light. These men are like flies or moths to a light when it comes to an opportunity to make money, or an opportunity to be successful, as the opera house is for Fitz.
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