In this research paper I deal with the representation of the African Americans in Spielberg’s film Amistad, that has bee issued in 1997.
I chose this film because it deals with a very important case in American and African American history. The verdict of the Supreme Court had a great impact on the abolitionist movement and therefore on American history. Although the trial was not on the issue of slavery but of cargo, in the head of the people it soon became the issue of slavery, slaves and abolition of slavery.
The Amistad case did not only become known in the near vicinity of the New Haven jail where the Africans were being held in prison. The news of the captured Amistad Africans spread like fire and U.S. newspapers same as international newspapers featured them on the title pages.
In the following chapters I will go deeper into the general representation of the Africans in the film, the preparations to the film Amistad, and the differences between the film and actual
history. Doing that, I will also compare the representation of the slaves, respectively the Africans, in Amistad to the representation of the slaves in Birth of a Nation. I will add this
issue in different chapters when I think it is appropriate, and in one chapter I will specifically deal with the main differences.
Natalie Davis calls Amistad a ‘feature film’ because those kind of films are often described as inventory and with no connection to the experiences that have been real and to the historical past (5). In how far this really applies to Amistad and how the Africans/African Americans are represented in the film I will explore in this research paper.
In order to answer these questions I studied the film and secondary material on the film and the general issue of Slaves on Screen, which also is the title of Natalie Zemon Davis’ book
about different films that deal with this subject. For information about the Amistad Africans I consulted Howard Jones’ book Mutiny on the Amistad, that describes the historical events in detail. Apart from that, Black City Cinema by Paula J. Massood and the internet research project Exploring Amistad of the Mystic Seaport Museum were very helpful.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- I. Plot Summary of Amistad
- II. Ways to Amistad
- III. How Close to History is Amistad?
- 1. The Depiction of Slavery
- 2. The African American Actors
- IV. The Representation of Blacks in Amistad: Customs and Culture
- 1. The Abolitionist Theodore Joadson
- 2. The Meeting between John Quincy Adams and Cinqué
- 3. Language
- 4. Regional Differences within Mendedom
- 5. The Africans Encounter the White People's Religion
- 6. Burial Rites
- 7. Traditional Dancing and Singing
- V. The Representation of Brutality
- 1. The Schooner Amistad
- 2. The Middle Passage
- VI. Comparison: Representation of Blacks in Amistad and Birth of a Nation
- VII. Works Cited
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This research paper analyzes the representation of African Americans in Steven Spielberg's 1997 film, *Amistad*. The paper examines the film's depiction of slavery, the historical accuracy of its portrayal, and how it compares to other cinematic representations of slavery. The focus is on understanding how *Amistad* shaped the public's perception of this significant historical event and its implications for the abolitionist movement. * The Depiction of Slavery in Amistad * The Historical Accuracy of Amistad * The Representation of African Culture and Customs * The Comparison between Amistad and Birth of a Nation * The Impact of the Amistad Case on the Abolitionist MovementZusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
I. Plot Summary of Amistad: This chapter provides a detailed synopsis of the events depicted in Steven Spielberg's *Amistad*, following the journey of the 44 Africans from their initial capture in Africa, through their revolt aboard the ship *La Amistad*, their capture by the US Navy, and their subsequent legal battle for freedom in American courts. The summary highlights the key players, including Cinqué, the leaders of the revolt, and the abolitionists who fought for their cause, detailing the narrative arc of the film. II. Ways to Amistad: This chapter explores the genesis of the film *Amistad*, focusing on the motivations and influences that led to its production. It delves into the involvement of key individuals, particularly the black actor Debbie Allen, highlighting her reaction to the historical events and her role in bringing this story to the screen. The chapter also discusses the challenges and considerations involved in adapting a complex historical event into a feature film. III. How Close to History is Amistad?: This chapter examines the historical accuracy of *Amistad*, comparing the film's portrayal of events to documented historical accounts. The analysis centers on two key aspects: the depiction of slavery and the portrayal of African American actors. It explores the liberties taken in the film's narrative and analyzes their impact on the overall message. IV. The Representation of Blacks in Amistad: Customs and Culture: This chapter delves into the film's representation of African culture and customs. It examines specific scenes and characters, such as the role of Theodore Joadson, the interactions between John Quincy Adams and Cinqué, and the depiction of language, regional differences, religious practices, burial rites, and traditional forms of dance and music. The chapter analyzes how these representations contribute to a broader understanding of African identity within the context of the film. V. The Representation of Brutality: This chapter focuses on the film's depiction of the brutality associated with the transatlantic slave trade. Specifically, it explores the conditions aboard the *Amistad* itself and the horrors of the Middle Passage, analyzing how these scenes contribute to the overall emotional impact of the film and its message against slavery. VI. Comparison: Representation of Blacks in Amistad and Birth of a Nation: This chapter provides a comparative analysis of the representation of African Americans in *Amistad* and D.W. Griffith's *The Birth of a Nation*. It identifies significant differences in the portrayal of African Americans and explores the historical context and ideological underpinnings of these contrasting representations. The differences highlight the evolution of cinematic depictions of race and slavery.Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
African Americans, Amistad, Steven Spielberg, slavery, abolitionism, Cinqué, John Quincy Adams, historical accuracy, cinematic representation, transatlantic slave trade, racial prejudice, legal battle, cultural representation, Birth of a Nation, comparative analysis.
Frequently Asked Questions: Amistad Film Analysis
What is the purpose of this document?
This document provides a comprehensive preview of a research paper analyzing the representation of African Americans in Steven Spielberg's 1997 film, Amistad. It includes a table of contents, objectives and key themes, chapter summaries, and keywords.
What are the main themes explored in the research paper?
The paper examines the film's depiction of slavery, its historical accuracy, and a comparison to other cinematic representations of slavery, particularly The Birth of a Nation. It focuses on how Amistad shaped public perception of this historical event and its impact on the abolitionist movement. Key themes include the depiction of slavery, historical accuracy, representation of African culture and customs, and the film's impact.
What topics are covered in each chapter?
Chapter I: Provides a plot summary of Amistad. Chapter II: Explores the film's genesis and production. Chapter III: Analyzes the historical accuracy of the film's depiction of slavery and the portrayal of African American actors. Chapter IV: Delves into the representation of African culture and customs in the film. Chapter V: Focuses on the depiction of brutality in the transatlantic slave trade. Chapter VI: Compares the representation of African Americans in Amistad and The Birth of a Nation. Chapter VII: Contains the works cited.
What specific aspects of African culture are examined in the paper?
The paper examines the film's depiction of various aspects of African culture including language, regional differences within the enslaved population, religious practices (including the Africans' encounter with the white people's religion), burial rites, and traditional dancing and singing. The roles of specific individuals like Theodore Joadson and the interaction between John Quincy Adams and Cinqué are also analyzed.
How does the paper compare Amistad to The Birth of a Nation?
The paper conducts a comparative analysis of the representation of African Americans in both films, highlighting significant differences in their portrayals and exploring the historical context and ideological underpinnings of these contrasting representations. This comparison illustrates the evolution of cinematic depictions of race and slavery.
What is the overall goal of the research paper?
The research paper aims to analyze how Amistad portrayed African Americans and the institution of slavery, assessing its historical accuracy and comparing it to other cinematic representations. It seeks to understand the film's impact on public perception of this crucial historical event and its implications for the abolitionist movement.
What keywords are associated with this research paper?
Keywords include: African Americans, Amistad, Steven Spielberg, slavery, abolitionism, Cinqué, John Quincy Adams, historical accuracy, cinematic representation, transatlantic slave trade, racial prejudice, legal battle, cultural representation, Birth of a Nation, comparative analysis.
- Quote paper
- Anna Zafiris (Author), 2004, The Representation of African Americans in Steven Spielberg’s 'Amistad', Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/143291
