Apocalypto's long race
There has been a big discussion over at Bad Eagle on Mel Gibson's Apocalypto.
The big issue is whether Rudy Youngblood really represents the South American Indians whose saga Gibson is apparently trying to portray.
I think Gibson' film is essentially symbolic. He is using the South American Indians' gory history to present a case for Christianity. His film is a modern attempt to regain Christ’s centrality in art.
So, how does Rudy fit in? According to Bad Eagle's investigations, Rudy is apparently part black, and some kind of American Indian - although he claims to be Comanche.
Apocalypto, like I've said, is a symbolic movie. Some journalists have even questioned the accuracy of the story, as other have the authenticity of the "Indian" actors.
But, Gibson is really telling us a salvation story. Rudy's character travels from heathen forest, through the bloodthirsty metropolis, out to the open ocean which brings the God of salvation onto his shores.
Rudy's race, from there - the depths of the forest, to here - the openness of the ocean, is Gibson's method of showing us Rudy's salvation.
Thus, running, the journey, is central to the film. And Rudy's muscular physique and athletic prowess fits subliminally with Gibson's vision. In a way, it didn't matter to Gibson who the actor was, he wasn't telling the story of the Indians, rather that of their salvation.
Rudy just had to be able to run, and fast.