The film The New World was set in Jamestown, during the discovery of the Americas. John Smith the main character is tasked with bartering with local tribes for food. When he is first taken into the tribe the imagery of light and dark was very evident. Light showed through the roof of the building, that the chief resided in, onto Smith. The chief and the other tribesmen were shown in the dark shadows and smoky atmosphere. I think this form of lighting made for an interesting perspective in terms of the known and the unknown. 

Religion played an important factor in the movie. For example, Pocahontas had a very special relationship with nature. She was first shown playing with another tribes man, in the tall grassy fields. Then when Smith came to the tribal territory, she showed him how to respect nature and treat it like a friend. Even when she was walking through the forest, she was constantly touching the ground or trees or grass. When she relocated to England, she had vast grounds of pampered and primped trees, but she stood in shoes and didn't bother to make a connection with the rows of trees. I think when she was in England she could not be one with nature or her religion, thus making her wary and uncomfortable. 


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