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"i am sending my love to your eyes. may they always see goodness in people. and may you always practice kindness. may we see each other as one. may we be nothing short of in love with everything the universe has to offer. and may we always stay grounded. rooted. our feet planted firmly onto the earth." - Rupi Kaur, milk and honey |
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Avatar film review
After humans destroyed the Earth by consuming the entirety of its resources, they look to other planets for salvation. Outside Earth’s solar system lies the moon, Pandora, housing lush forests, hexapodal animals, and the Na’vi. These people have a deep connection within the forest that flows through the goddess Eywa. The Na’vi live harmoniously on their moon until it is targeted by humans, for Pandora is home to the richest supply of Unobtanium, a mineral crucial to the salvation of mankind. In order to obtain the resource, humans create Na’vi-human hybrids called avatars. These avatars are controlled by humans and are designed to collect information and attempt to reason with the native people for their land. Conversely, the Na’vi have no interest in turning over their land for nothing of benefit to them in return. Upon realizing this, former marine, Jake Sully, is sent to assimilate into the Na’vi culture to deliver the message of their impending elimination. The first violation of rights lies within Article 1, where all are born equal and should be treated as such, while acting in a spirit of brotherhood. This violation is present throughout the entirety of the film, through humans degrading the Na’vi and treating them as savages. The Na’vi are first described to the men by the Colonel as “[any] living thing that crawls, flies, or squats in the mud [will want] to kill you and eat your eyes for jujubes”. Although the Na’vi are benevolent people the humans do not consider them equal, hereby violating Article 1. This causes a great deal of conflict between the Na’vi and the humans, and it sets the basis for the violations to come.
The second violation is of Article 17, stating one shall not be arbitrarily deprived of their property. This infraction occurs during the destruction of Hometree. Hometrees are colossal masses of intertwined trees that the indigenous inhabit. In order to obtain the rich Unobtanium deposits the Omaticaya clan’s hometree sits upon, the humans first use tear gas to drive them out, followed by lethal weapons against those that stay behind, ending with setting the sacred tree ablaze, leaving many Na’vi to die in the inferno, and their home destroyed. The razing of their property sentences hundreds of Na’vi to premature deaths. Now, the Na’vi are lost and afraid, not knowing where to turn. Some are separated from their families and many will never be reunited. Additionally, this event is an infringement of Article 9, where one shall not be subjected to arbitrary exile. The humans murder any that retaliate, their unjust executions revealing the true depth of greed they possess. This results in young children, innocent women, and strong men dying, and instills a great sense of fear throughout generations. The humans do not stop in their siege for power, and the Na’vi must be constantly alert to protect the lives of themselves and their loved ones.
Uncertain of where to find shelter after the loss of their home, the remaining clan members flee to the Tree of Souls. This tree is the strongest link between the Na’vi and their God, Eywa, for the people have an ability to tap into the network and connect with one another on a spiritual level. The significance of this tree is immense, for it is the heart of the people, and is the Na’vi’s last hope of salvation and reprieve from the humans. Unsatisfied with the elimination of Hometree, the humans plan to obliterate the Tree of Souls, abusing Article 3, where all have the right to life, liberty and security of person. The tree is all the Na’vi have left- it is a part of their people, and the battle that will ensue is bloody. This causes hundreds of Na’vi people to die at the hands of the humans, with no remorse shown. Additionally, the fear they have is amplified with the impending threat of hometree. They do not feel secure, for hometree is incomprehensibly sacred to them. This creates chaos within the community, for they are too blinded by fear of losing their last possessions to think rationally. As a result of the consistent abuse and infringement of their otherwise peaceful lives, the Na’vi then decide to join clans in order to defeat the humans. This is the only positive impact of the abuses thus far. The Na’vi realise that they have strength in numbers, and that if they work together they can overthrow the grip the humans have on their lives.
The director, James Cameron, does a tremendous job of exhibiting the impact of the human rights abuses in this film; most notably during the destruction of Hometree. Using jump-cuts, the audience sees the roaring fire, hears the whistling of bullets, and feels the deep pain and sorrow the Na’vi are experiencing. In the aftermath, a cacophony of wails and screams fills the silence of the forest. Additionally Cameron’s use of size of the characters is significant. The enormity of the avatars is great compared to the petite humans. This provides a stark contrast of their gentle nature and large bodies, compared to the villainous humans that have a greater presence and negative impact on their lives. Overall, Avatar is a beautifully produced work of art that shows a cruel and merciless nature possessed by humans, and the aftermath of neglect for one another.
The second violation is of Article 17, stating one shall not be arbitrarily deprived of their property. This infraction occurs during the destruction of Hometree. Hometrees are colossal masses of intertwined trees that the indigenous inhabit. In order to obtain the rich Unobtanium deposits the Omaticaya clan’s hometree sits upon, the humans first use tear gas to drive them out, followed by lethal weapons against those that stay behind, ending with setting the sacred tree ablaze, leaving many Na’vi to die in the inferno, and their home destroyed. The razing of their property sentences hundreds of Na’vi to premature deaths. Now, the Na’vi are lost and afraid, not knowing where to turn. Some are separated from their families and many will never be reunited. Additionally, this event is an infringement of Article 9, where one shall not be subjected to arbitrary exile. The humans murder any that retaliate, their unjust executions revealing the true depth of greed they possess. This results in young children, innocent women, and strong men dying, and instills a great sense of fear throughout generations. The humans do not stop in their siege for power, and the Na’vi must be constantly alert to protect the lives of themselves and their loved ones.
Uncertain of where to find shelter after the loss of their home, the remaining clan members flee to the Tree of Souls. This tree is the strongest link between the Na’vi and their God, Eywa, for the people have an ability to tap into the network and connect with one another on a spiritual level. The significance of this tree is immense, for it is the heart of the people, and is the Na’vi’s last hope of salvation and reprieve from the humans. Unsatisfied with the elimination of Hometree, the humans plan to obliterate the Tree of Souls, abusing Article 3, where all have the right to life, liberty and security of person. The tree is all the Na’vi have left- it is a part of their people, and the battle that will ensue is bloody. This causes hundreds of Na’vi people to die at the hands of the humans, with no remorse shown. Additionally, the fear they have is amplified with the impending threat of hometree. They do not feel secure, for hometree is incomprehensibly sacred to them. This creates chaos within the community, for they are too blinded by fear of losing their last possessions to think rationally. As a result of the consistent abuse and infringement of their otherwise peaceful lives, the Na’vi then decide to join clans in order to defeat the humans. This is the only positive impact of the abuses thus far. The Na’vi realise that they have strength in numbers, and that if they work together they can overthrow the grip the humans have on their lives.
The director, James Cameron, does a tremendous job of exhibiting the impact of the human rights abuses in this film; most notably during the destruction of Hometree. Using jump-cuts, the audience sees the roaring fire, hears the whistling of bullets, and feels the deep pain and sorrow the Na’vi are experiencing. In the aftermath, a cacophony of wails and screams fills the silence of the forest. Additionally Cameron’s use of size of the characters is significant. The enormity of the avatars is great compared to the petite humans. This provides a stark contrast of their gentle nature and large bodies, compared to the villainous humans that have a greater presence and negative impact on their lives. Overall, Avatar is a beautifully produced work of art that shows a cruel and merciless nature possessed by humans, and the aftermath of neglect for one another.