Canniblism in PoC Sequel

[Hippychickali]

Taken from http://www.disneylandreport.com/disneynews/021405piratesofthecaribbeansequelcannibalismcontroversywaltdisneypictures.html

Walt Disney Pictures' Pirates of the Caribbean sequel stirs controversy over cannibalism portrayal

Source: BBC

Plans to portray Dominica's Carib Indians as cannibals in the sequel to hit film Pirates of the Caribbean have been criticised by the group's chief.

Carib Chief Charles Williams said talks with Disney's producers revealed there was "a strong element of cannibalism in the script which cannot be removed".

The Caribbean island's government said Disney planned to film in Dominica.

The Caribs have long denied their ancestors practised cannibalism. Disney was unavailable for comment.

"Our ancestors stood up against early European conquerors and because they stood up...we were labelled savages and cannibals up to today," said Mr Williams.

Map of Dominica
About 3,000 Caribs live on the island of Dominica

"This cannot be perpetuated in movies."

Shooting on the sequel is expected to begin in April, with hundreds of Dominicans applying to be extras in the movie.

Lack of understanding

About 3,000 Caribs live on the island of Dominica, which has a population of 70,000.

Many Caribs were killed by disease and war during colonisation up to the 1600s.

Mr Williams said he had received support from indigenous groups around the world in his efforts to have cannibalism references removed from the film.

But he admitted there were some members of the Carib council who did not support the campaign.

He said some did not "understand our history, they are weak and are not committed to the cause of the Carib people".

The first Pirates of the Caribbean film took $305m (£162m) at the box office in the US alone.

The cast and crew are to work on two sequels back-to-back, with the first to be released in 2006.

 

[sapiendut]

Wow, very educational of Disney putting cannibalism in their movies.

 

[Peter Pirate]

It has always been my understanding that the Carib's were, in fact, cannibals, so there is certainly room for discussion here.

 

[sapiendut]

Maybe I'm wrong, but from what I remember from the Discovery Channel, there is not a single evidence anywhere in the world of real cannibalism (eating another human being as part of everyday's diet). The closest thing to cannibalism are the stackloads of evidence that certain tribes were doing that to scare other tribes or out of necessity.

(I know, the term cannibal works with anybody who eats human being, but I'm talking about cannibalism as part of the culture)

Correct me if I'm wrong.

 

[rocketriter]

Please, no "tastes like chicken" jokes.

 

[Peter Pirate]

No, no, no...Taste's like turkey.

Also, i remember that it's the term "cannabilism" is what gets in the way. I remember learning that the Caribs were very primitive...With cannabilistic tendencies. How's that?

 

[MomofKatie]

Maybe I'm wrong, but from what I remember from the Discovery Channel, there is not a single evidence anywhere in the world of real cannibalism (eating another human being as part of everyday's diet). The closest thing to cannibalism are the stackloads of evidence that certain tribes were doing that to scare other tribes or out of necessity.

(I know, the term cannibal works with anybody who eats human being, but I'm talking about cannibalism as part of the culture)

Correct me if I'm wrong.

I can't recall the name of the tribe, or where it is located (Africa? New Guinea? Can't recall), but there is a tribe that used ritualistic cannibalism. When a member of the tribe died, the family members consumed the internal organs as a way to honor the dead and "take in" the dead's knowledge and soul.

The tribe started to experience a terrible fatal disease not unlike mad cow disease. After research, it was discovered that the disease was being transmitted to the female tribe members only, because the females were the only ones who got the honor of consuming the dead relatives' brains. The disease was transmitted through ingestion of brain tissue.

I know I've seen this in a documentary on this on Discovery channel... there might not be any "cannibals" who eat human flesh as a normal daily staple, but there definitely are documented instances of ritual or warlike cannibalism.

 

[the kabuki]

 

[sapiendut]

hmmmm.... eating Brian.... I mean, braiiiiin.

 

[greenhornet]

Tastes like Emu

 

[DancingBear]

Wow, very educational of Disney putting cannibalism in their movies.

It ain't an educational film, it's supposed to be entertaining.

 

[Hippychickali]

Whether or not ritual cannabalism was part of this culture, it is evident that it is no longer. I can see why this tribe would be concerned. Pirates of the Caribbean is not an educational or an historical accurate film. Therefore, I think that they should not indicate the cannabilism of this tribe whether it did happen or not. All this does is label a group of people and does nothing to make this film entertaining.

Ali

 

[DancingBear]

Whether or not ritual cannabalism was part of this culture, it is evident that it is no longer. I can see why this tribe would be concerned. Pirates of the Caribbean is not an educational or an historical accurate film. Therefore, I think that they should not indicate the cannabilism of this tribe whether it did happen or not. All this does is label a group of people and does nothing to make this film entertaining.

It is also evident that tall ships no longer prowl the Carribean, and that stiff British governors wearing wigs no longer rule the islands. How do you know whether it makes the film entertaining or not? You mean the scene with the Richard Chamberlain and Sharon Stone in a big soup pot in "Allan Quartermain and the City of Gold" wasn't entertaining?

Okay, nothing in that movie was entertaining. But you never know.

 

[Hippychickali]

It is also evident that tall ships no longer prowl the Carribean, and that stiff British governors wearing wigs no longer rule the islands. How do you know whether it makes the film entertaining or not?

Sorry if I made an uninformed assumption that eating people isn't particularly entertaining, especially in a film like PoC. However, I think that you can make a distinction with tall ships and wigs. Neither causes people to have a stereotypical view of an entire tribe of people. All I'm saying is that I can understand the concerns of the tribe. I believe in freedom of speech and Hollywood can (and does) be as culturally insensitive as they would like.

Ali

 

[raidermatt]

IF, and this is a big if, Mr. Williams is correct, I can't see why anyone would not support his position. Are any of us really saying that even if he's right, Disney should portray his people in whatever way they think will make them the most money?

But like I said, its a big if. Apparently, some members of his own council do not support his position. That could mean he's full of it, or it could mean they are afraid of losing some of the jobs/money Disney is throwing their way.

I guess how exactly Disney is portraying the cannibilism makes a difference too. I honestly haven't studied the subject at all, so I have no idea. If Disney is portraying it in the manner you guys describe, maybe they have a case for it. But if they are portraying it in the stereotypical manner, then again, I can see where that would be a problem.

If they are over-doing it, then why use a "real" people? Don't call them Caribs, that way you won't be as offensive to the Caribs?

I don't know... all speculation at this point. Bottom line is we need more info before deciding whether Disney should be crucified (again), or exonerated.

 

[Plus4206]

***" Whether or not ritual cannabalism was part of this culture, it is evident that it is no longer. I can see why this tribe would be concerned. "***

As an American, slavery isn't exactly something I'm proud about either, but it doesn't mean if we don't talk about it long enough then eventually we can deny it ever happened.

Natives portrayed as cannibals is nothing new in movies of those time periods. Heck, weren't Bing & Bob captured by cannibals at least once in their careers ? I doubt many people will come away from this film discussing how blood thirsty those Carib people are.

 

[Hippychickali]

I think the issue here is that it hasn't been quite clear if ritual cannabilism did, in fact, occur. Slavery in American history is undeniable.

I agree with the poster who said that this isn't an historical movie and therefore, Disney could use the same inferences of cannabilism with little problem if they simply changed the name of the tribe.

Ali

 

[DVCconvert]

If the producers want "ritual cannabilism " in the movie, they could simply film a board meeting.

 

[Hippychickali]

If the producers want "ritual cannabilism " in the movie, they could simply film a board meeting.

True dat.

Ali

 

[magictrickboy71]

How come cannibals don't eat clowns?


They taste funny!!!

Sorry,
Frank