Reader opinion The connection between Western films and colonialism must be identified and highlighted

The basic idea of ​​the critique is that Western films build the dominance of the white man and the stories that support it.

Yle Arena is a western film directed by John Ford Apassilinnake. In the arena, the film is described as a bold Western classic. Movies characterized as follows: “Ford’s vision, in all its militarism, is extraordinarily powerful. The warm, humorous description of man and cavalry romance with its dances and punches, as well as its Irish ballads and sergeants, form an archetype of the rich West. ”

We are currently celebrating Media Skills Week (February 7-13). One of the aims of Media Skills Week is to promote awareness of minorities, such as the Sámi or other indigenous peoples, through film education. ApassilinnakeThe description of the film ignores the criticism that has been directed over the last decades against the colonialist mindsets spread by Western films.

The basic idea of ​​the critique is that the Western films build on the domination of the white man and the stories that support it, and portray the Indians as wild savages, the killing of which is the legitimate mission of the brave, brave white soldiers. The perception of European world conquerors of themselves and their role as disseminators of civilization, as well as that of American politicians and soldiers, of their role in Afghanistan was based on this same worldview. Stereotypical representations of Finns about the Sámi have also been – and still are – partly based on this kind of colonial way of thinking.

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The fortress showing films like this without contextualization and a critical perspective is unfortunate. It is time for Western “civilization” to recognize its harmful archetypes and the connection of films to the history and present state of colonialism.

Mari Mäkiranta

University Lecturer in Visual Communication

The university of Lapland

Vesa Puuronen

professor of sociology

University of Oulu

Reader opinions are speeches written by HS readers, selected and delivered by HS’s editorial staff. You can leave a comment or read the principles of writing at www.hs.fi/kirjtamielipidekirjoitus/.

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