In an Age of Division, How Can We Reconnect? [Slate]

James Cameron's "Avatar: Fire and Spuljae"
Fractures Within Pandora Take Center Stage
The Tragedy of "Collaborators" Created by Imperialism
A Reflection of Today's Politically and Socially Divided World

Movie still cut from Avatar: Bulgwae Jae

Empires have always begun by recruiting insiders. This approach is more efficient than all-out war and more advantageous for governance than outright conquest. Director James Cameron's "Avatar: Fire and Spuljae" transposes this age-old strategy to Pandora. While maintaining the conflict between humans and the Na'vi, the film brings to the forefront the fractures that emerge within the community itself.

Looking back on the progression of the series, this is a natural evolution. In 2009, "Avatar" exposed the violence of colonialism and the destruction of ecosystems through the clash between humans and the Na'vi. In 2022, "Avatar: The Way of Water" explored the possibility of coexistence through the solidarity of family and tribe. "Avatar: Fire and Spuljae" takes this a step further, questioning how differing values and choices within Pandora itself can divide a community.

The Age-Old Governance Strategy of Imperialism

The Sully family lost their eldest son, Neteyam, in the previous installment. Before their grief could subside, Pandora is once again shaken by humans. Seizing this opportunity are the Mangkwan clan. Unlike the Na'vi, who have long valued harmony with nature, the Mangkwan clan uses violence as a means of survival. Their leader, Barang, colludes with the human invaders, disrupting Pandora's very order. Having lost his home to a volcanic disaster, he no longer trusts Eywa. This mirrors the recurring governance methods of imperialism. The conquest of empires begins with external violence, but its completion happens from within. Rather than turning all natives into enemies, the strategy is to first win over a single leader who can communicate with them.

Movie still cut from "Avatar: Fire and Spuljae"

In the 19th century, the United States brought Cherokee chief John Ross to the negotiating table. He chose to enter the realm of law and institutions rather than resist with force. The promise was that, by remaining a "civilized tribe," the Cherokee would retain their ancestral land and autonomy. However, in 1838, the U.S. government broke the treaty, and the Cherokee became subject to forced relocation. This tragedy is remembered as the "Trail of Tears." Britain's rule over India followed a similar pattern. The British governed their colony by relying on Indian soldiers and local rulers. Indian soldiers, known as "sepoys," became the main force in suppressing the 1857 uprising. The invasion was framed as restoring order within India. Once order was stabilized, the authority of collaborators was reduced and promises were discarded.

The Silence of Eywa: Misunderstanding and Inevitability

The figure Barang opposes is Neytiri, who symbolizes Eywa and the tribe's order. This is less about personal hatred and more about a political decision to reject the traditional world. At this point, "Avatar: Fire and Spuljae" raises a fundamental question: Why has Eywa not responded to such desperate pleas until now?

Movie still cut from "Avatar: Fire and Spuljae"

Eywa is the spiritual backbone that unites Pandora, yet does not intervene in the crises of individual clans. This silence became a decisive rift for the Mangkwan clan and Barang. They believed that nature had abandoned them, and as a result, they turned to the power offered by humans. If Eywa is understood as a "god," this silence cannot be explained. Eywa is not a transcendent being who answers prayers, but a system in which the connections, memories, and balance of Pandora's entire ecosystem are accumulated. Eywa does not judge good and evil or justice, nor does she prioritize the survival of any particular clan. The only criterion for intervention is whether the entire ecosystem has reached a critical point beyond self-recovery. From this perspective, the Mangkwan clan's anger is both a misunderstanding and an inevitability. After losing their home to a volcanic disaster, Eywa's silence was perceived as abandonment. Barang interpreted this as being forsaken and chose to join hands with humans instead of maintaining a connection with Eywa. The gap between Eywa's systemic perspective and the reality experienced by the victims gave rise to anger and collusion.

Movie still cut from "Avatar: Fire and Spuljae"

In "Avatar: Fire and Spuljae," Eywa unites an ecosystem on the brink of extinction. Beyond a divine being, Eywa functions as a network where memories and experiences are accumulated, serving as a device for solidarity that reconnects fragmented communities. Especially in the latter part of the film, scenes where the dead are reconnected with their kin and tribe through Eywa point to a collective need for restoring broken relationships. Here, the film reflects our current reality. In a world divided politically and socially, we have become accustomed to exclusion rather than understanding one another. Technology has advanced, yet the irony is that we are less connected than ever. Director Cameron embodies Eywa as a response to this problem of disconnection. Ultimately, "Avatar: Fire and Spuljae" is not only a story about Pandora, but also a story about us today.