Heaven Lee
Anthropology 246
Professor Seda
October 29th,2015

The film, “Black Robe” was adapted from the novel with the same title, written by Brian Moore and directed by Bruce Beresford in 1991. He does a wonderful job in capturing the cultural differences between the Jesuits and the Algonquin Indians. The movie is an accurate and realistic of the clash between two cultures. His work in film follows the central theme of cultures in conflicts. Other movies that he directed were, “Driving Miss Daisy”, “Tender Mercies”, “Fringe Dweller” and etc.. The film, “Black Robe” is set in New France in 1634, when Samuel de Champlain, founder of the settlement sends French Jesuit, Father Laforge a non jesuit, Daniel along with their Algonquin allies on a mission to convert the Native in the Huron village. Samuel Champlain sends them on this mission because the Natives are “savages” and “uncivilized” that need to be converted. An experienced traveler, Chamina leads the group through their mission, however his dream about Father Laforge killing him is what makes his perception change on the mission and Catholicism. Mishaps and problems arise because of the religious and cultural differences between Father Laforge and the Algonquins. As the movie continues the viewer is abruptly introduced to another native culture when Father Laforge, Daniel and the Algonquins are taken into captivity by the Iroquois to be then saved by a heroin and Chomina daughter, Annucka. Furthermore, the observer also gains an understanding of not only the discrepancies between the Jesuits and the Algonquins, but the Algonquins and the Iroquois. In all, the film, “Black Robe”, accurately challenge the cultural differences that occurred during the conversions of the Native peoples and the consequences that transpired.

I believe that the movie was a very accurate portrayal of the Iroquois culture.According to Cambridge English Dictionary culture is, "the way of life, especially the general customs and beliefs, of a particular group of people at a particular time. In the opening scene in which the French Jesuits first meet the Algonquin Indians to exchange gifts for their guidance of Laforgue to the Huron mission, there are many cultural differences. Both the French and the Indians dress in their most formal attire for the ceremony. The leader of the Jesuits suits himself in his handsome clothing, which consists of a plate of armor, wig, and an extravagant cape, all of popular fashion during the time period in Europe. The leader of the Algonquin tribe also dresses himself in his best attire. He paints his face in tribal paint and wears what seems to be ceremonial dress. Both the French and the Indian have extravagant parties, in which both dance and party into the night. There is also a change in music when the focus is on the Algonquins and then, the French Jesuits. It is possible to see the irony in the situation; both parties participate in very similar rituals, yet after the deal has been concluded the French refer to the Indians as savages. There is a sense of a love hate relationship, because they are unioned together but, they stay with their on klan at any other given time.

Indians had formerly lived a different life from the Europeans. They lived their life very accustomed where they relied on cooperation and trust of each other as a weapon against climate and enemies. Along with the way of life, there was also the aspect of religion. They had already created their own belief system. The Algonquins were very spiritual and they believed in animism, the belief that a spiritual world animated and interacted with the physical world. In a conversation between Chomina daughter, Annucka and Daniel, Annucka mentioned that they believed at night the dead can see. The souls of men hunt the souls of the animals. Also the Algonquins were very connected with their dreams, the belief was that one’s dream could potential be one’s future. Chomina tells his wife about a disturbing dream involving himself, “Black Robe”and a raven where the raven is pecking out his eye. His wife is very sure that the raven is “Black Robe”. However, because the raven doesn’t die in the dream, Black Robe is kept alive until they decide what to do with them.
Chomina’s relationship between “Black Robe” and Daniel are more distant because of mistrust. Along the mission Daniel falls in love with Annucka, Chomina’s daughter and they try to make it unnoticeable but, “Black Robe” and Chomina both ironically figure out. Chomina reminds his daughter that she is beautiful and that there would be a lot of men for her, however, the Frenchman is ugly and can’t provide for her. Daniel is confronted by “Black Robe” because he has witnessed the sexual relationship between Daniel and Annucka . This is too much for the celibate Jesuit, therefore he confronts Daniel. He reminds him that the only person for them is God. But, Daniel doesn’t feel the same and he tells Black Robe that he doesn’t want to be a Jesuit. Daniel is completely lovestruck by Annucka, he does anything to be with her. Daniel uses his language as a great advantage because he speaks algonkin and he uses that to be closer to Annucka and the rest of their Klan. But, this tactic only works for so long because a Montagnais shaman convinces Chomina that Daniel and Black Robe are evil.

Hence, Black Robe, Daniel and the klan of Algonquins encounter the Montagnais. Black Robe introduces himself and tells them that they are all here to help them and that God sent them there. They respond with insulting the way he speaks algonquin and their physical appearance. The remarks are to why Daniel and Black Robe are so hairy, Chomina comes to their rescue and tell them that they are Frenchman. While, Black Robe is reading a book on the shore, two native kids come behind him and steal his hat, he joins in on their fun, only to be interrupted. A small Montagnais Shaman confronts Black Robe and calls him a demon and tries to curse him and frighten him with loud noises and shaking a bag filled with bones. A shaman is someone believed to having access to, and influence in the world of good and evil spirits. They the only people in a Native American tribe that were capable of communicating with spirits and influencing their power over the physical world. The Montagnais shaman in, “Black Robe” was very jealous of Black Robe’s influence of the Algonquins therefore, he used his power to convince the Algonquins that he was evil. However, his influence was short term when Chomina’s guilt led him to let Black Robe and Daniel be apart of the klan. In this scene, one of the Algonquins was close to shooting Daniel with a bow and arrow because he didn't approve of the type of relationship that Annucka and Daniel had. The viewer can determine that the Algonquins and The French Jesuits were both too stubborn to even understand each other's religion/culture. Even though the movie, “Black Robe” received a lot of credit for the culture accuracies during the 17th century, some may argue that the violence was over dramaticized and fixated. In the opening scene of the movie Samuel de Champlain refers to the Native Americans as “savages” and “uncivilized people who need to be converted”. Granted, this is how the Europeans felt about the Natives, this movie lacks a positive view on the Native Americans. Again, we do see the ceremonie in the beginning of the scene with the entire Algonquin tribe gathered and singing waiting for the French Jesuits to arrive. Also we do see that the clothing is appropriate for both cultures, during the 17th century. However, when Black Robe, Daniel, Chomina and the Algonquins are captured by the Iroquois we see the distinction of the tribes instead of the union. The viewer’s perception is to be believed that the Iroquois were violent and dangerous people. This shines a negative light on Native Americans, reinforcing the stereotype of savagery and providing the idea that they are uncivilized. Moore’s film, “Black Robe”, provides the viewer with outstanding out view of the cultural clash between the Jesuits and the Algonquins on their mission to convert the natives in the Huron village. This film is credited with a collection of awards: Genie Award for Best Achievement in Art Direction/Production Design, Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television Award for Best Screenplay and Genie Award for Best Motion Picture, just to name a few. He does a wonderful job in showing the viewer the clothing that the Algonquin wore, where they lived, the language they spoke and their beliefs as well.