MOVIES AT LA PLAZA— “THE NEW BOY”: There is no magic in the colonial world

Movie Review by Sergio Martinez

This film, directed by Warwick Thornton, is set in a desert region of Australia in the 40s of the last century and touches on a theme, with which, here in Canada, there are some painful coincidences. In the plot's background, there is the eagerness of the authorities to assimilate the indigenous population, first, by stripping them of their own cultural identity, language and even their way of relating to reality. In this context, the “Chief Protector of Aborigines” figure took on special importance. These officials had the authority to remove indigenous children from their families in order to assimilate them into the white culture.

He will be known only as
the New Boy (Aswan Reid)

The story begins with a confusing episode in which the character whom we only know as the “New Boy” (Aswan Reid), who does not speak for most of the time, is taken to a remote mission run by Sister Eileen (Cate Blanchet), a nun with her own way of managing the place, who is assisted by Sister Mum (Deborah Mailman). At the mission reside seven other children who, in addition to being instructed in the basics of religion, perform various jobs under the supervision of George (Wayne Blair).

Soon, the New Boy will mark his difference with the other children, aboriginal boys who have already been Christianized, and with the environment of the site itself. The culture clash will become apparent on several occasions, one in which the New Boy arrives with snakes, part of his normal relationship with nature, but symbols of evil in Christian belief.  This and other occurrences will put Sister Eileen in check when her own faith is shaken by the newcomer's healing powers and his different understanding of the images of the local church.

Sister Eileen (Cate Blanchet) sees
her faith shaken by the presence of the
New Boy

In his introductory statement to the film, the director said, “Aboriginal people are generally happy to embrace Christianity alongside their own spiritual beliefs, but it doesn’t happen the other way around. Christianity must conquer.” That is well portrayed in the film when the New Boy speaks for the first time and when, after being baptized, his life will take on a different character. In a way, this is also an analogy to what happens with the culture of the peoples assimilated by “white civilization”. With its power, the colonial world displaces the old images and beliefs, as well as their magical powers.

Sister Mum (Deborah Mailman) 
and George (Wayne Blair)

The New Boy is a film that focuses on the devastating effects of the clash between the dominant colonial culture and those of the people subjected to it. The cinematography is very effective in transmitting to the viewer, on the one hand, the overwhelming immensity of the territory and, on the other, the characters' intimacy in the reclusive environment of the mission.

Running time: 96 min.