The
Spanish conquistadors use Incan slave labor to accomplish much of their grunt
work, although those slaves on the expedition are killed. When a curious Incan
couple approaches the exploratory party’s raft, they express confusion at one
of the Spaniard’s bibles and are tried and killed for blasphemy. This incident
represents an instance of both physical and cultural genocide – the couple is
killed because they are not Christian.
Aguirre, the Wrath of God can be read
largely as a character study of the titular character. In this capacity, it
provides an unflinching look at a genocidal mindset. Although all of the
Spaniards in the film are engaging in genocide on some level, none do so with
Aguirre’s sadistic glee. Aguirre, played manically by Klaus Kinski, represents
colonialism at its most malicious. He kills without regard, thinking only of
his own power. He, like his fellow conquistadors, is confident in the racial
superiority of his fellow Spaniard, even as his crew are slowly picked off by
unseen Inca attackers. Ultimately, Aguirre, and, by extension, his imperialist
mindset, is depicted as both dangerous and insane. The final line of the film, spoken
by Aguirre, whose crew are completely dead and whose craft is now covered by a
herd of small monkeys, perfectly represents his dangerous viewpoint: "I,
the Wrath of God, will marry my own daughter and with her I will found the
purest dynasty the world has ever seen. Together, we shall rule this entire
continent. We shall endure. I am the Wrath of God!"
(Aside: if you'd like to watch this film, it is available in Mudd)
(Aside: if you'd like to watch this film, it is available in Mudd)
The most important aspect of this film is that which you’ve stated: “…it provides an unflinching look at a genocidal mindset.” Because of this, the film’s result has multiple functions: as an artistic contribution to genocidal studies, as well a psychological contribution to it. The opening shot of the film, with the natives and conquistadors traveling through natures, presents the viewer with a metaphor for genocide. This long shot in the film makes the inhabitants look like ants, tiny particles within the wide scale of nature. This could be perceived as the viewpoint of the oppressor, looking at the vast number of the oppressed as if staring at ants.
ReplyDeleteAguirre also captures an important characteristic that hasn’t been common in some genocidal readings: the perception of the individual. This means the in-depth view of how a member of the oppressors, or in this case a leader among them, perceives his world. Aguirre’s madness is felt throughout the film. His mind gradually descends in insanity and by the end, his still envisions victory in the face of defeat. This character represents an assimilation of the madness that it takes to commit genocide.