learning from the yanomamo indians
| <<-- : 02.02.04 : -->> |
8:46 p.m.Cultural Anthropology Video Questionnaire
Name: Anthony B. Riva Date: 01.29.04
Video Title: Contact: The Yanomami Indians of Brazil Year: 1990
Location(s)/Cultures: Yanomamo Indians/Brazil-Venezuela
Main Subjects: Gold Mining and its effects on the Yanomami Indians, disease and changes to their culture
The silent introduction of text fading in and out against a black backdrop presented me with a serious tone that was to be set for the rest of this film. The figures given of the population decrease and the presence of Brazilian gold miners on the island of the Yanomamo gave cause for awareness. At first I was expecting to learn more of the culture involving the Yanomamo and the way of life they lived, but this film came off as a public service announcement.
I was appalled with the way the gold miners were rationalizing their presence. Many of them believed they were doing good for the Yanomamo, believing that they were providing them with a sense of value for what they believed to have no value at all. If the Yanomamo truly owned their lands, Brazil would take an authority to work out a deal beneficial to both parties. The miners, seeing that this is not the case, are taking full advantage of their incapacity to defend themselves. Seeing this situation unfold is frighteningly familiar to the presence of the United States in Iraq. Are we (the U.S.) really working towards the good of the economy and power structure of Iraq? Or do we just want their oil? The same could be asked of the Brazilian gold miners in regards to the Yanomamo, although their situation is a bit obvious and less colored by politics. The gold miners are apparent with what they want from their lands, whereas the United States have created a much more larger and complicated issue regarding this current �war.�
I suppose the filmmakers could have taken a more cultural approach with their subjects. But given the time allotted, I could imagine that they would have to make a serious decision and take a direction that would constructively use what little resources they had. I assume that they had little due to the �low budget� style of the film. The text displays and swipe effects were pretty simple, even for the standards of documentary filmmaking in 1990. This may also be due to a lack of artistic ability in editing. Budget restraints aside, I believe these filmmakers may have cut out a lot of the Yanomamo culture-based shots in order to make room for the current devastating situation. Sometimes, we may need to look elsewhere in the world to find solutions to problems that lie closer to home.
| <<-- : : -->> | top
cyclists - 04.06.07
reader update - 04.04.07
read me - 03.29.07
easter sunday - 03.26.07
shutdown day - 03.23.07