A perspective in understanding the message of the movie

Rating: Null/10 (27 November 2012)

For all those who are a bit confused with the story or the message of the movie, I offer a perspective that may be helpful.
I think it is important to first and foremost understand that the movie is an allegory. The characters and plot are used to show us how interconnectedness works in all of our lives. The characters are only analogies in trying to explain the director's view. That is the underlying foundation that holds everything together. Don't get lost in plot, because plot alone cannot explain what the director's are trying to share.
The theme of the movie is that we are influenced by and influence everything.
The resolution of conflict takes place between those who are consumed by ego, "They want more", (i.e. greedy corporations, slave drivers, crazy face painted tribesman) versus a letting go of ego (understanding another's point of view, not fearing standing up for others, feeling connected).
An example of the forces of extreme ego fighting with truth is when the slave and the lawyer trusted and believed in each other only because they saw the truth in each other. Throughout the remainder of the movie we see how this initial trust in each other, help them throughout their journey. Can anyone argue that they are not kindred spirits? Their positions in life would never allow them to connect. And their positions in life are a direct result of how our collective ego's (greed) allow for one man to enslave another. However, in their case, they connected on a deeper level and their relationship was beautiful because of it.
Then there was the scene when the slave showed everyone that he is the Michael Jordan of sailing. The Captain was ruled by his ego's ideas of the world (slaves are only good for one thing). He had to see the TRUTH in order for him to accept the slave as a sailor. He had to suspend his ego (I know what is best) in order to allow the truth to come in (I was wrong, don't shoot that man). That is a powerful message.
And there was one more somewhat subtle example of how something from the "past" can change our lives. When the Korean girl's friend is killed, she is killed because she stands up for herself. Her only reference of doing so is watching a clip from a movie based on a period of time when freedom was a given (the old man stating that he would not stand for the injustice). Her death had an affect on the main girl (the director made sure to make this clear for us), and it was the beginning of her emancipation. Events like these happen all the time in our lives, we aren't necessarily aware of them all the time. And her standing up for her rights was extremely serious but the origin of that was actually very comical.
The whole movie is jam packed with these things and more. And seeing between the lines is where this movie is at.
From a general Western perspective, this movie does not work. I think that's what killed it for a lot of people,. That and not knowing the philosophy behind the movie. Most of the West isn't aware of the concept of we are all one. And so, I think that this requires some open mindedness in not seeing the movie through a hard line Western perspective. It may also require getting acquainted with other world views.
I hope this gave some clarity for some.