Avatar and Eco-Spiritualism


Erb, Cynthia. “A Spiritual Blockbuster: Avatar, Environmentalism, and the New Religions.” Journal of Film and Video, vol. 66, no. 3, 2014, pp. 3–17. 

It is exceptionally rare to find a blockbuster film that displays the relationship between humans, the environment, and the spiritual world at its forefront. Yet, Avatar (2009) did just that, and went on to become the highest grossing film of all time. Erb in this work dissects Avatar in relation to ecology, environmentalism, and ecofeminism, among other ideas she bundles together under the umbrella of “dark green religion.” Erb goes on to suggest that the film represents an environmentalist culture that pushes commitment to nature as sacred. The DVD release of Avatar actually coincided with the 40th anniversary of Earth Day, and the home video release coincided with a reforestation initiative to plant on million trees, a goal that was exceeded over the course of the next year. (7) The film itself is one that focuses on man’s detrimental impacts on the natural world, and encourages people to look at their relationship with nature as a spiritual one, not a physical one. Those who see nature as physical resources for extraction are set up as antagonists in the film, as they have depleted earth’s resources and now look to the planet Pandora as the perfect new planet for extraction. The Resources Development Administration crew of humans are in direct opposition of the deeply spiritual, ecologically connected Na’vi, the indigenous alien species of Pandora that lives in harmony with nature. Its only when the human scientists use avatars, Na’vi-human hybrids, to explore Pandora are they able to tear down their profane view of nature and see it for its sacred qualities. At this point, Jake, the main character who utilizes an Avatar who was sent to spy on the Na’vi, realizes he is on the side of the bad guys, and sets to help the Na’vi save their planet. The film, past its 3D sheen and CGI eye-candy leaves us with a message encouraging us to save our planet, to see it for its spiritual qualities, and not just as extractable commodities in a capitalistic quest for our financial benefit.

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