Canadian Film Forum

anca · Junior Data inscrierii: 30/Noi/2008 Mesaje: 15

Can we speak about "the noble savage" myth in Flaherty's documentary?

Yes. Flaherty' documentary shows that Inuits had an innate natural simplicity and virtue uncorrupted by European civilization. Through Nanook, Flaherty represents the archetype of the "noble savage". I would like to add, that, from this point of view, the relation between the two worlds is very interesting, because the dominant culture tries to preserve the noble savage's culture. So, it's a paradox. European culture hasn't influenced inuit culture, although it has.
("The noble savage" concept is associated with Romantism.)