>> THE NEW WORLD
THE CLASSIC LEGEND OF POCAHONTAS IS RETOLD
History and literature are woven with a rich variety of distinguished romantic heroes: Marc Anthony, Casanova, Romeo and Heathcliffe to name but a few. And now comes another: John Smith. So the name doesn’t exactly get the hairs on the back of your neck tingling, but perhaps a muscular and brooding Colin Farrell will.
While tackling an historical epic so soon after Alexander’s dive at the box office might seem a brave move, The New World is altogether a safer bet in pleasing the cinema going masses. For starters, the film is director Terrence Malick’s take on the legend of Pocahontas, a figure millions are already enamoured with after the 1995 Disney movie. Yes, there will be plenty of loving to complement the intense drama that traces this monumental episode in American history.
Set amidst the first encounter of European and Native American cultures during the foundation of the Jamestown settlement in 1607, The New World marks a beginning and an end: a beginning for the America we know and, er, love today and an end for the America that remained virtually untouched for the previous thousands of years.
As the Europeans forage onto this strange new land, they cross primeval wilderness and trample into an intricate web of tribal communities. The peace between these groups hangs by a thread, a thread that will snap with the intrusion of this strange and power-hungry race.
When our ambitious young hero, John Smith (Colin Farrell), meets the noble young native princess, Pocahontas (Q’orianka Kilcher), romance blossoms as tension between their respective communities grows. The drama reaches a heady climax as they are forced to make the heart-wrenching choice between their civic duty and love.
As the dark nights of winter creep ever closer, set sail for The New World and escape to the passion and adventure of unknown shores.
Beccy Matthews