Resource Key
LEVEL 1
brief, basic information laid out in an easy-to-read format. May use informal language. (Includes most news articles)
LEVEL 2
provides additional background information and further reading. Introduces some subject-specific language.
LEVEL 3
lengthy, detailed information. Frequently uses technical/subject-specific language. (Includes most analytical articles)
Databases
- JSTOR This link opens in a new window
Scholarly resources on JSTOR include Archival and Current Journals, Books, and Primary Sources.
- Britannica Schools This link opens in a new window
Britannica School covers the core subject areas of English, Maths, Science and History. Interactive lessons, activities, games, stories, worksheets, manipulatives, study guides and research tools.
Introduction
It's the mid-eighteenth century. Unlike his predecessor who was murdered and crucified for his efforts by the people in question, Father Gabriel, a Jesuit priest, is able to gain the trust of the Guaraní to build a mission in their region, above the falls in the border area of Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay, so that he can bring the word of a Christian god to the Guaraní. Father Gabriel's predecessor's fate was not only because of the Guaraní 's mistrust of him, but their mistrust of the white man in general, they who had previously pilfered many native South American tribes for slaves. Someone who unexpectedly joins Father Gabriel's order in building the mission is Rodrigo Mendoza, a mercenary and slave trader, who is trying to pay penance and repent for some past actions, most specifically an incident involving his half-brother.
Father Gabriel's work and the lives of the Guaraní are threatened with the arrival into the area of Cardinal Altamirano, who must decide on the fate of the mission based on the fact that the land on which the mission sits has been ceded by the Spanish to the Portuguese, who are open to enslaving the indigenous peoples as opposed to the Spanish who officially banned the practice despite the former work of people like Mendoza. Cardinal Altamirano will factor into the equation of his decision that the Portuguese may take action against the church as a whole if this one mission is not closed. Father Gabriel and the order have to decide how to proceed, with the possibility that he and Mendoza will end up on different sides of the fence. Mendoza has vowed obedience to Father Gabriel in becoming a priest but may have definite and extreme views based on previously being a mercenary and slave trader. Meanwhile, Father Gabriel wants to protect the Guaraní under the name of God, they who have converted and who are in this position largely because of him.
The Mission
Joffe, R. (Director). (1986, October 31). The Mission [Motion picture]. UK: Warner Brothers.
In South America, circa 1750, Gabriel is a Jesuit priest sent to build a mission for the Guarani Indians. There he encounters Mendoza, a ruthless slave trader who kills several Guaranis and captures many more, taking them back to town as slaves.
Summary
- IMDb. (2016). The Mission. Retrieved from http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0091530/plotsummary
It's the mid-eighteenth century. Unlike his predecessor who was murdered and crucified for his efforts by the people in question, Father Gabriel, a Jesuit priest, is able to gain the trust of the Guaraní to build a mission in their region, above the falls in the border area of Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay, so that he can bring the word of a Christian god to the Guaraní. - Patterson, E. (2103, June). The Mission. Retrieved from http://repository.berkleycenter.georgetown.edu/130601TheMissionFilmGuide.pdf
This film guide serves as an educational resource for viewing The Mission, the 1986 award-winning film set in eighteenth century colonial Brazil about the efforts of two Jesuit priests—one a missionary and one a former slave trader— to establish and defend a mission benefiting the indigenous Guarani people in the midst of the struggle for political mastery of the Americas between Portugal and Spain. - IMDb. (2016). The Mission synopsis. Retrieved from http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0091530/synopsis?ref_=ttpl_pl_synThe film is set during the Jesuit Reductions, a program by which Jesuit missionaries set up missions independent of the Spanish state to teach Christianity to the natives. It tells the story of a Spanish Jesuit priest, Father Gabriel (Jeremy Irons), who enters the South American jungle to build a mission and convert a community of Guaraní Indians to Christianity.
Awards
- IMDb. (2016). The Mission awards. Retrieved from http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0091530/awardsThe Mission won thirteen film awards and was nominated for twenty seven awards.
Roland Joffe Biography
- IMDb. (2016). Biography Roland Joffe. Retrieved from http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0423646/bio?ref_=nm_ov_bio_smRoland Joffé was born on November 17, 1945 in London, England. He is a producer and director, known for The Killing Fields (1984), The Mission (1986) and The Scarlet Letter (1995).
- Valletta Film Festival. (2016). Roland Joffe biography. Retrieved from http://www.vallettafilmfestival.com/roland-joffe-head-of-jury/Joffé found his initial success with two episodes of “Play for Today,” namely “The Spongers” and “United Kingdom,” featuring Colin Welland. For the latter show, Joffé was nominated for a BAFTA. This laid the groundwork for his first film, The Killing Fields, a frighteningly realistic depiction of a Cambodia torn apart by war and terrorism.
Interview with Roland Joffe
- Dempsey, M. (1987). Light Shining in Darkness: Roland Joffe on "The Mission" Film Quarterly, 40(4), 2-11. doi:1. Retrieved from http://www.jstor.org.db.plcscotch.wa.edu.au/stable/1212232 doi:1CopyMichael Dempsey speaks to Roland Joffe on The Mission.
