Overcoming the Stereotype

Overcoming the Stereotype of Indigenous People in Film

Throughout the years of Natives being portrayed in films, their culture has been mistreated throughout the community. Dating back to the Bugs Bunny cartoons, the natives have been looked at as "different" or "lesser" than the man. In cartoons such as Pocahontas, they were treated like "savages" and given a false portrayal. Luckily, many strides have been taken to change this treatment. This was all displayed in a documentary called "Reel Injun". This documentary shows the progression of the Indigenous peoples throughout the film community. This process also shows all the hard work that was put into the treatment of the natives. Although great progress has been made throughout this time, it is essential that we reach the point of setting little to no denomination against the indigenous people for the future of film.

 

(Reel Injun, 2009)

Overview of Reel Injun

Reel Injun was a documentary made in 2009 explaining the progression made towards erasing the stereotypes that film placed on the indigenous people. The common stereotypes placed on the Natives in film were the constant wearing of formal dress, ill-informed, and living like animals. These depictions placed false and demeaning beliefs into the audience member's minds. This unfair treatment stirred a lot of anger throughout the films created in this era. As time went on, slowly but surely did the filmmakers start listening to the concerns of the natives. Those including Marlon Brando played a crucial role in the progression of this movement to cut out the stereotypes. In 1973, when Brando won a Grammy for his role in the God Father, he stated he was "very regretful" and could not accept the award because of the false treatment of natives in the film. As time went on, the natives were moving towards proper treatment and later gained so. As film progressed, natives were given roles of normal humans. All of the previous stereotypes were completely erased and the natives gained the treatment that everyone had.

(1973 Grammy Award for Marlon Brando and his Role in the God Father: Refused)

Hope for the Future of Film

With the movement of stereotypes being erased in the film scene, there is hope for the future generations and what image of natives is surrounding them. With out-dated cartoons coming to an end, the stereotypes surrounding natives will too. This is because older generations were surrounded by cartoons displaying an improper image of natives. This stereotype held until film started to move into a more socially respecting field. Now there is finally hope for our future generations who a being shown more proper and well displays of the natives. If this movement holds, the stereotypes surrounding the native community will vanish! Once and for all...