Gillo Pontecorvo's film "Burn".

Paper Summary:

The paper discusses how the movie "Burn!" presents a dark look at the nature of colonialism as well as humanity. The paper describes the society radically segregated on racial and economic lines; the slaves are perpetually trapped in a cycle of poverty and oppression and even after finding their "freedom", they are little better off. The paper looks at the character of Jose Delores and his independence that led not to freedom, but to further repression and the collapse of his dream and hopes.

From the Paper:

"The first part of the movie sets the stage for this philosophy. The island of Queimada has long sought freedom, for it has a history of colonialism as well as a history of revolt. The movie develops in the slave revolt that England seeks to capitalize on and wrest control from Portugal. As the slaves rise victorious from the bloody revolution, Walker, convinces Jose Delores that the slaves can go no further in self-government, or succeed in trading with the world. "Who will buy your sugar, Jose?" Walker asks, yet the British have imposed a boycott on the island (Burn!). In exchange for promised schools, hospitals, financial prosperity, the newly liberated slaves agree to set down their weapons and return to the sugar cane fields. Thus, they are promised success, but are stripped of their independence and freedom. They are trapped, given the ability to "know how to go", but no escape from their situation."

Sample of Sources Used:

• "Burn!" Directed by Gillo Pontecorvo. 1969.
• Hobbes, Thomas. Leviathan. Oxford: Blackwell, 1946.

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