Emil Iqbal Blog 5

On the topic of language and community with respect to the film we have just finished (Amigo). It is interesting to point out how Anderson's idea of language being a major factor in creating nations is demonstrated during the film. In the film there were many groups of people all speaking different languages: the Americans speaking English, the natives speaking Tagalog, and the Chinese speaking Chinese. We can see how the Filipinos have their own national identity within their communities, and how the Americans have theirs. At the beginning of the film there is very little mixing between the two groups (mixing the sense of cultural exchange, or meaningful interactions). The only communication between the groups comes through the priest in the village who happens to speak both languages. The two groups have very specific and different identities, supporting Anderson's idea of language being a major factor in developing a nation. Through the film we see more and more interactions between the groups in a more friendly manner: an American solider develops a crush on a native, the natives have a party that the Americans enjoy. We see that a connection develops between the two groups; the two groups almost begin to merge. I would even go out and say that if given enough time (and maybe slightly different circumstances), the two distinct groups with their separate national identities would merge into one and a new kind of nation would be born. One that would encompass multiple cultures. Towards the end of the film we see how much the Americans (the ones who had been in the village the entire time) really did not want the Amigo to be hung, possibility supporting the fact that a deeper connection was forming between the two groups.