The Emerald Forest
Director: John Boorman
Cast: Powers Boothe, Meg Foster, Charley Boorman, Dira Paes
Inspired by a true story, The Emerald Forest weaves a tale of the love forged between father and son, and the power that brings them together when their worlds threaten to collide. When the story begins, Bill Markham, (Powers Boothe) has moved his family to the edge of the Amazon rainforest to supervise the construction of a hydro-electric dam. When his son vanishes into the dark labyrinth of the Amazon jungle, Bill spends the next decade searching for his lost child. When fate brings father and son together a decade later, Bill discovers his son, Tommy (Charley Boorman), has been adopted by a tribe of Indians called the Invisible People. Together, they must embark on a journey to understand their unique worlds and find a way to heal their broken bond.
The connection between Tommy and his father is one entwined in threads of strength and fragility. While the memories of his lost family are deeply ingrained in Tommy’s psyche and manifested in his dreams, his heart is emotionally bonded with his adopted family; the Invisible People. When Tommy becomes a man in the tribe, he must undergo a rite of passage ritual before he is recognized as an adult. This transformation signifies that Tommy is casting aside his childhood and embracing life as a man. When his baptism is complete, Tommy embarks on a spirit journey where he connects with his spirit guide (an eagle) and discovers the sacred stones of his people.
The boundary between the world of the Invisible People and the world of advanced civilization is rapidly vanishing. As human technology encroaches deeper into the realm of the Invisible People, they are ultimately robbing them of their culture and freedom; the things they cherish most. The pain of this loss is only made stronger when subordinates in Bill’s corporation enlist the help of their enemies, the Fierce People, to abduct and enslave the women of Tommy’s tribe and destroy their homes. Ultimately, the Invisible People restore the fragile balance of their world when, through prayer, they summon their spirit animal guides to intercede on their behalf, causing a flooding rain which destroys the dam built by the corporate capitalists, thus restoring their world.
Tommy’s transformation into manhood is completed when he finds the courage to venture beyond, “the edge of the world”, and enlist his father’s help to rescue the abducted women and ensure the safety of his people. Although Bill tells his son that the destruction of his world is inevitable, Tommy assures his father that the spiritual powers that his people draw upon will destroy the dam. Bill, knowing the future of Tommy’s people is in peril, enters the bowels of the dam with a bomb, intent on destroying that which he spent the last decade trying to build. Amidst torrential rains, he stands in stunned silence as the dam crumbles. Realizing that the faith Tommy’s people utilized had caused the flood, he casts the bomb into the water. This act ultimately signifies Bill’s acceptance that Tommy is a man and finally allows him to realize that Tommy belongs with his people. If he could not physically be reunited with his child, Bill at least wanted to ensure that his son could be protected.
Considering this is the first time I have watched this film, I must say, I was impressed. While there are elements of the film (the violence and the nudity being most prominent) that make this movie less than ideal for young viewers, one cannot deny the powerful impact that the film leaves on the audience. The story is an exceptional example of conservation and family. The casting, particularly in the case of Powers Boothe as Bill Markham, is exceptional. I would highly recommend this movie.
© 2013 – 2016 Keriane Kellogg. All rights reserved.
Director: John Boorman
Cast: Powers Boothe, Meg Foster, Charley Boorman, Dira Paes
Inspired by a true story, The Emerald Forest weaves a tale of the love forged between father and son, and the power that brings them together when their worlds threaten to collide. When the story begins, Bill Markham, (Powers Boothe) has moved his family to the edge of the Amazon rainforest to supervise the construction of a hydro-electric dam. When his son vanishes into the dark labyrinth of the Amazon jungle, Bill spends the next decade searching for his lost child. When fate brings father and son together a decade later, Bill discovers his son, Tommy (Charley Boorman), has been adopted by a tribe of Indians called the Invisible People. Together, they must embark on a journey to understand their unique worlds and find a way to heal their broken bond.
The connection between Tommy and his father is one entwined in threads of strength and fragility. While the memories of his lost family are deeply ingrained in Tommy’s psyche and manifested in his dreams, his heart is emotionally bonded with his adopted family; the Invisible People. When Tommy becomes a man in the tribe, he must undergo a rite of passage ritual before he is recognized as an adult. This transformation signifies that Tommy is casting aside his childhood and embracing life as a man. When his baptism is complete, Tommy embarks on a spirit journey where he connects with his spirit guide (an eagle) and discovers the sacred stones of his people.
The boundary between the world of the Invisible People and the world of advanced civilization is rapidly vanishing. As human technology encroaches deeper into the realm of the Invisible People, they are ultimately robbing them of their culture and freedom; the things they cherish most. The pain of this loss is only made stronger when subordinates in Bill’s corporation enlist the help of their enemies, the Fierce People, to abduct and enslave the women of Tommy’s tribe and destroy their homes. Ultimately, the Invisible People restore the fragile balance of their world when, through prayer, they summon their spirit animal guides to intercede on their behalf, causing a flooding rain which destroys the dam built by the corporate capitalists, thus restoring their world.
Tommy’s transformation into manhood is completed when he finds the courage to venture beyond, “the edge of the world”, and enlist his father’s help to rescue the abducted women and ensure the safety of his people. Although Bill tells his son that the destruction of his world is inevitable, Tommy assures his father that the spiritual powers that his people draw upon will destroy the dam. Bill, knowing the future of Tommy’s people is in peril, enters the bowels of the dam with a bomb, intent on destroying that which he spent the last decade trying to build. Amidst torrential rains, he stands in stunned silence as the dam crumbles. Realizing that the faith Tommy’s people utilized had caused the flood, he casts the bomb into the water. This act ultimately signifies Bill’s acceptance that Tommy is a man and finally allows him to realize that Tommy belongs with his people. If he could not physically be reunited with his child, Bill at least wanted to ensure that his son could be protected.
Considering this is the first time I have watched this film, I must say, I was impressed. While there are elements of the film (the violence and the nudity being most prominent) that make this movie less than ideal for young viewers, one cannot deny the powerful impact that the film leaves on the audience. The story is an exceptional example of conservation and family. The casting, particularly in the case of Powers Boothe as Bill Markham, is exceptional. I would highly recommend this movie.
© 2013 – 2016 Keriane Kellogg. All rights reserved.