The movie "Avatar"

这是电影“化身”的简介，文章内容主要是对电影部分做了精简的短评：“最后，当我看到这部电影时，我不禁想起了美国印第安人。在某种程度上，我有点怀疑，这是一个关于种族歧视和偏见的影片。地球人是聪明的，掌握高新技术，而纳威人正在开发。我怀疑这更多是表现了种族主义观”。

Some thoughts on Avatar from the perspective of post-colonialism

Avatar is a famous 3D science fiction movie, directed by well-known director James Cameron. I believe Avatar is a typical post-colonialism film with a perfect combination of technology and thought. Therefore, I will explore some cultural connotations of Avatar from the perspective of post-colonialism.

Firstly, the earthman open schools on Pandora and teach native Na’vi people speak English. In the eyes of earthman, people on the Pandora are barbaric and uncivilized. In other words, the earthman is bringing civilization to the barbaric Na’vi. However, it is the typical cultural imperialism according to the post-colonialism. In the film, the Na’vi people not only live in harmony with nature, but can make band and communicate with a variety of animals and plants by their braids. By contrast, the earthman plunders resources and damages environment desperately. I see it proves that the earthman is not civilized than the Na’vi.

Secondly, there are some Na’vi people on Pandora that master English well such as Neytiri. But we can also see that Neytiri teach Jake Sully speak native language, ride horseback and giant bird. In the end, the avatar Jake Sully encourages the Na’vi to resist the earthman and win the war. I think it is the hybridity from the perspective of post-colonialism. The earth culture which is reflected by Jake blends with the Pandora culture which is reflected by Neytiri.

Thirdly, as we all know, avatar is the meaning of incarnation in Sanskrit. At the beginning of the film, the avatar is created to integrate into the Na’vi people. I think maybe it is the incarnation of colonialism. However, the avatar Jake Sully becomes the leader of Na’vi and leads them beat the earthman in the end. I think maybe it is the incarnation of deity Eywa. It is extremely interesting to explore the read identity of avatar.

Lastly, when I watch the film, I can’t help thinking about the American Indian. To an extent, I have a suspicion that it is a little racism and prejudice. The earthman is wise and masters high technology, while the Na’vi people are under-developed. I suspect that it is more or less involved in the racism.

In a word, I believe Avatar is a perfect post-colonialism film.

Works Cited:
James Cameron, Avatar, 2009;
Edward Said, Orientalism: Western Conceptions of the Orient, 1978;
Homi K. Bhabha, the Location of Culture, 1993;
Okla Elliott, the Unseen Jury: the ideology and Psychology of Institutionalized Racism, 2014.