1. What is the setting of the film (place, year, etc)? I want to know you clearly know where and when this film is taking place.
The film is based in 1750 around the events of the Treaty of Madrid. The Borderlands of Argentina, Parguay, and Brazil near 1750s
2. From whose point of view is the film made – who is telling the story and what impact does that point of view have on how the story is told?
-Narrator is the church official
3. What is the role of the following in this film (remember they may have more than one role that they play):
a) Spaniards: Slavery of indigenous is not legal, but Jesuits argue and the film seems to show that it still happens. There are Spaniards too who seek to see the mission territories turned over to the Portuguese or at least the Jesuit control/missions ended so the indigenous can be enslaved/used for labor and profit…Jesuits are Spaniards too I think…there are those Spanish who clearly think the indigenous are not human/natural slaves as well
b) Portuguese: Portrayed as those who bought the territories/want to end the missions to take the indigenous (Guarani in this case) as slaves for profit/labor. Slavery is legal in Portuguese colonies…portrayed as believing indigenous are animals/natural slaves of sort in this film
c) The Church: Seems to be fighting to maintain power…over the states, Spain and Portugal, but also over the Jesuit order which had apparently gained power in the territories where the events of this film unfolded. Church official had to make decision on what would happen to the missions…whether they would still be protected by the church. Ultimately decided that they wouldn't be protected and told the indigenous/Jesuits to leave the Mission of San Carlos
d) Jesuits: Created missions as havens for the Guarani, to convert and make Christians out of them…safe spots away from slavery/killing of the indigenous…portrayed as happy places in this film…missions were for the indigenous, and profits/resources would go back to community/mission/people there
e) Guarani: The indigenous group portrayed in this film. They seek survival above all and seem to want to escape the slavery/killing done by the Portuguese and Spanish. Missions seemed to be a safe haven for them,. It is still unclear if they would've just preferred that everyone had left them alone to begin with versus the missions. They are portrayed as victims who fight for themselves but are eally helpless in a sense and are struggling to determine their place and future.
4. How do you think the film does at portraying the above groups of people? Is the portrayal accurate in your opinion (Is there bias, is it stereotyped, is it honest and well developed etc, and why)?
-I thing the film's portrayal of these groups is probably somewhat accurate. Despite the missionaries being safe havens for the indigenous peoples, the indigenous were probably not always treated perfectly there, and the Jesuits were probably not faultless in their treatment of the indigenous. It's possible the indigenous wouldn't have been as thrilled with the missions as the film makes it seem at times…but probably better if the alternative was getting killed or enslaved by the Spanish/Portuguese
5. For the next questions, you need to look at the life of the Guarani in the missions and outside the missions.
a. How is life for the mission Guarani portrayed?
b. How is life for the Guarani not in the mission system portrayed?
c. Which way of life do you think the film suggests is better/happier/more fulfilling etc?
d. Which is safer for the Guarani?
-Life in the mission is portrayed as "civilized". The Guarani wear clothing and they have certain work to do. They are taught to sing Christian songs. However, outside of the mission the Guarani are portrayed as very happy, perhaps this could mean they are happier than on the mission. The mission has changed many things like their clothing, the work they have to do and the different jobs, they learn new languages and religion. It is not clear whether their acceptance of a new religion is superficial or whether they truly believe in the new religion they are taught. Life in the mission appears to be better and safer for them because the mission is a safe haven from the brutal treatment, killing, and enslavement that is forced on them by the Spanish and the Portuguese outside of the missions
6. What is the stated role/function of the Jesuit missions?
-Jesuits were very powerful. Their roll is controling many of the missions and therefore a lot of land. Not to mention using the indigenous people as laborers.
7. Does living in a mission fundamentally change the Guarani, and if so, in what way(s)?
– Yes because Guarani consider the mission as their home
Guarani don't want to go back to the forest, they say "because the devil lives there" which means that it is not safe for them to be there due to there being Portuguese/Spanish who kill them and/or enslave them.
8. Does this film portray the Guarani as having an active role in the historical developments that are impacting them? In other words are they active players in this drama or just pawns of the events around them?
-The film makes it seem as if the other parties involved are fighting over what happens to them. The church, the Portuguese, the Spanish…even the Jesuits, they all have different ideas for them but the Guarani do not seem to have any free will to decide their own futures/place in history
9. Pay attention to the language, dress, actions, cinematography, and music, etc, used in this film. Which do you think are the most powerful and important in sending out the message of the film to the viewer and why?
-Singing church songs with native instruments in the background when the church official visits the first mission, the music and dancing when welcoming the church official to the mission up on the cliffs, and whenThe Guarani flock to music and are enthralled by music the first time they see the main Jesuit missionary who founds the mission seem to be powerful in portraying a message because music appears to play a centralized role in the culture, society, and their worldview…dancing also appears to play a huge role.