Introduction
Amistad is a film that was directed by Steven Spielberg and produced in 1997. The focus of the film is on the fate of slaves who were captured from West Africa by slave traders for sale in the Americas. During this time, the United Kingdom had issued a ruling against slavery thus making it illegal to trade in slaves in the high seas. This move by the United Kingdom therefore meant that the people who had captured the slaves in the ship, Amistad had participated in an illegal activity. Led by a group of Spanish men, the slaves withstood immense mistreatment as they were transported to their destination. It however reached a point where they decided that they would not take in any more, and with the help of a nail, Cinque, unlocked the shackles in his legs and led a mutiny that resulted in numerous deaths on both the crew and the slaves. The slaves then commanded the two remaining crew members to steer the ship back to Africa. Far from the manifest theme of the suffering that characterized slavery, the film has the theme of determination. This theme touches on both the slaves, who in this case are the victims as well as their captors. But this analysis will focus on the theme of determination as exhibited by the slaves. The director of this film, Steven Spielberg, has employed a number of techniques to show difficult circumstances that the slaves went through but still managed to stay on course till they got their freedom.
Body
To begin with, the film presents a gloomy picture through the dark lighting that marks the beginning of the film. This symbolically communicates the idea that the experiences that the African slaves are going through are despicable. In a way, this scenario prepares the viewer for the other part of the film, which is equally full of devastating experiences. The conclusion that the viewer comes to after viewing all these is that for the slaves to have emerged out of this ordeal alive, they must have been determined. Another instance where the gloomy lighting has been used is when the slaves are transferred from the ship to a holding house where they are chained. Brightness is kept out of this part as a way of showing the intense suffering the slaves are going through. Naturally, when someone enters a difficult moment or situation, the assumption is that the person individual will break down if he or she lacks strength of will or he or she will come out strong if they are determined. The director brings the slaves out alive after all these ordeals making us come to the conclusion that they are indeed determined to live.
Besides the above, the film employs vivid imagery that serves to highlight the extent to which the slaves were willing to go to ensure that they secured their freedom. The image of the slaves in court in the United States during the ownership court fights was full of elements of both pity and aspects that would have easily embarrassed the undetermined soul. Some of the slaves were half naked and none of them understood English. This made communication a huge problem for them. With the support of abolitionists such as Theodore Joadson (Morgan Freeman) and the competent young attorney, Baldwin, the slaves, led by Cinque did not bend under any degree of embarrassment. They were determined to be free and would go to any length to get their freedom. This courtroom spectacle is a powerful image in the film.
Thirdly, camera angle and picture quality were utilized effectively in support of the theme of determination. Through careful camerawork, clear pictures of the poor conditions of the slaves in terms of health were well captured. Those who were hurt during the skirmishes in the ship were well covered by the camera as were those who grew weak and tired as they moved in and out of court with their bare feet in the United States. Under such a high degree of suffering, the expectation is that the victim will throw in the towel and let the oppressor win. But with all the poor conditions that the slaves went through as shown by the excellent camera work, they did not give up. This supports the theme of determination on the part of the slaves, a quality that eventually led to freedom.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Amistad demonstrates the determination the captured slaves had as far as regaining their freedom was concerned. The poor lighting that opens the film illustrates the too much suffering and lack of direction that the slaves eventually overcame. The courtroom imagery as well as the clear camerawork also show the detailed level of suffering that the slaves went through, which brings us to the judgment that if the slaves were able to pull through, then they must have been very determined to get their freedom. Their success in being released is the culmination of this determination.
Works Cited
Amistad. By David Franzoni. Dir. Steven Spielberg. DreamWorks, 1997.Videocassette.