The New World

I am sure it was my mom who gave me a love for all things Native American. Perhaps it was her Cherokee blood, her love for nature, and stories she would tell and trips like the one we took to Cherokee, North Carolina.

So perhaps it was understandable after seeing many commercials for the release of The New World on DVD, I did the uncharacteristic thing and went to Blockbuster to rent a copy.

The New World is mainly the story of Pocahantas (Q’Orianka Kilcher) and her relationship with Captain John Smith (Colin Farrell) and later with John Rolfe (Christian Bale).

If you like car chases and modern action, I suppose this movie wouldn’t thrill you, however, I found it enchanting, and able to draw out many emotions. While watching it, I was amazed at the photography of the film, it really seems to take you back to 1600’s Virginia.

After watching the film, I was really intrigued to look into some details of how it was made. I found some interesting items:

• It was shot almost entirely with available light.
• Native American cast members had to learn the Algonquin language. 3000 people speak this language today, many of whom were hired by producers to teach cast members.
• The Virginia fort was built in 30 days, the exact number of days the original settlers needed to construct the original yet without the use of cranes and other modern machinery.
• Over 1 million feet of film was shot for completion of the film.
• Casting for the character of Pocohontas proved difficult, producers looked at over two thousand actors before deciding to open up their search criteria for all indigenous actors of both North and South America.
• Producers agreed with Native American leaders not to acknowledge credit to them until the final film met with their approval.
• The clothing Pocahontas is wearing during the audience with the queen, is based on one of the few contemporary portraits of her.
• Pocahontas is never called Pocahontas during the entire film.
• In preparation for the role, Colin Farrell read all seven of John Smith’s books he published back in England on his accounts of The New World.
• All actors were required to lose 20 pounds in a month and then went to boot camp where they learned to use artillery weapons and live like the settlers.

I was happy to learn that they did indeed film The New World in Virginia. Also, a lot of pains were taken for costumes. They used a lot of natural materials and created them by hand. Actual ship replicas were used in the movie, as well as an authentic compass used by John Smith.

If you like history, Native Americans, and amazing artistic filming of nature around us, you will like The New World.