MovieChat Forums > The Journals of Knud Rasmussen (2006) Discussion > These three individuals were real people...

These three individuals were real people or not?

posted 10 years ago by henrimaine
1 reply | jump to latest

Interesting film but some things remained a bit obscure. For instance: who were these three individuals who were sent away by the shaman at the end of the film? Throughout the film I considered them to be regular members of the group but the final scene seemed to imply that they were, perhaps, some sort of spiritual creatures. The shaman referred to them as his "helpers". I also noticed that they did not communicate at all with other groups members. Did anybody else find this confusing?

[–] Mamabadger56 8 years ago

They were spirit guides of some kind. It doesn't become clear at first, as they seem to be ordinary people, except that, as you mention, they never speak to anyone else. The conclusion makes it very clear, though. As the group had to give up their traditional religion and accept Christianity in order to survive, this decision is symbolized by the shaman sending away his spirit "helpers." Very sad and effective, I thought.

Basta, basta, basta.