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The Struggle of Evangelization in the South American Colonies.

"The Mission" is a historical drama based on real events that took place in the middle of the

18th century, filmed in South America (tropical jungle next to the Iguazu Falls), imitating the

Colonial Era. The film tells the story of two characters, Father Gabriel, Rodrigo Mendoza "The

Mercenary" and the Guarani people. The film proposes to the viewer to understand in depth how

forgiveness, unity, freedom and equality are developed highlighting the importance of religion

and the love of Christ. Additionally, it affirms the belief that we are all equal, slaves, mercenaries

or Jesuits.

Director Roland Joffé addressed the historical aspect and the position of the Jesuits, who

were in a conflict derived from the implementation of the "Treaty of Madrid", in addition to the

potential problems of the South American colonies and the indigenous population, such as the

clash between the two cultures and the slavery evidenced at that time. Since ancient times,

slavery has been the most common form of obtaining cheap labor in social and economic

development.

Perspective 1: Father Gabriel

The social-political conflict is evident in the scenes where the European monks set up the

mission in order to evangelize all the indigenous people of the area, seeking to spread the

message of God. Father Gabriel, who attracted the Guarani with his faith and flute, not only
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gained their trust and learned to communicate with them, but also taught them new cultures and

beliefs. It was in this way that Father Gabriel brought them the word of God. In the end, the

Indians protected the settlers and vice versa. Since the Indians were free and wild, they had to

face a group of Spanish conquistadors who wanted to conquer them as slaves and colonize the

land.

Perspective 2: Rodrigo Mendoza

In the film we observe the development of the life of the characters as time goes by, to

exemplify this we have the life of Rodrigo Mendoza who, being a mercenary, slave trader and

becoming a murderer after killing his brother for the love of Carlota, his wife, even he when he

repents of his actions found forgiveness. Later, he joined the Jesuits and Guarani, thus

demonstrating that when there is true repentance we can achieve redemption and find the inner

peace that many seek and need.

With respect to the situation of the indigenous people and the legal problems that are

demonstrated in the film, there is an aspect of utmost importance, at this time the indigenous

people were recognized as wild animals and not as humans, this for several reasons. one of them

was the way they lived which was in the tropical jungle, another reason was the way they were

physically unclothed. One of the reasons that most argued that the Indians were animals was that

the law of the Indians only allowed them to have one descendant per family, this with the

objective that if they needed to flee from the place where they were, they would do it carrying

only one child in their arms.

It is not easy for the indigenous people to exercise their rights in a large part of South

America. A number of problems have arisen, from historical discrimination and struggles for
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recognition of the majority of the countries' indigenous peoples. Indigenous people commonly

live in their ancestral territory, however, many indigenous groups continue to relocate voluntarily

and involuntarily, either because of violence or the absence of rights that support their identity

and respect.

Perspective 3: The Prelate, Father Altamiro

The role played by religion in this film is crucial to its development. As can be seen in the

role of The Prelate, Father Altamiro, he is at a crossroads regarding his beliefs, ideals and morals.

He is entrusted with the task of enforcing the new Treaty of Madrid, this treaty was in the hands

of the Portuguese who decided to enslave the Guarani. The Father Altamiro reflected on the

objective of the Mission, understanding all the positive aspects of the activity that the Jesuits

were carrying out in the missions. However, the Prelate, Father Altamiro is convinced by the

argument that the Guarani must submit to God's will and that is to leave the land they are in. This

struggle between his beliefs and obedience to the pope leads him to make a decision that affects

God's work, even so, he decides to hide his true intention by backing it up with his own faith.

Overall Reaction:

In this film there is an important aspect that allows us to approach and understand the era,

such as the moral dilemma posed by the use of violence or passive resistance in the struggle

against oppressors and injustice. The Guarani are sacrificed without pity or mercy on the altar of

colonialist greed. The impression left on the viewer is that humanism and Christianity are

rendered irrelevant by the power game between Spain, Portugal and Rome.