THE MISSION
Cert 12A
103 mins
BBFC advice: Contains moderate violence, injury detail, sexual violence references, racism
It seems incredible to believe that there are still communities of people who live as humans did in the Stone Age.
Equally unlikely is the notion that they are being left alone.
However, that is the case with the North Sentinelese, who live on a remote island in Indian territory.
Indeed, they have a history of extreme violence against anyone who has tried to disturb their solitude.
They are the people whom evangelist John Chau tried to convert. No surprise, therefore, that he lost his life and was believed murdered.
In this enthralling documentary, Directors Amanda McBaine and Jesse Moss explore what led him to his death.
Their analysis examines Christian fanaticism through interviews with those who knew Chau or have been involved in missionary work.
It also takes words from an interview with his father, and, most importantly, extracts are read from Chau's diary.
Some sections are directly recorded contributions, and others accompany animated footage of what is believed to have happened on the island.
The consensus is that Chau's actions were, at best, ill-advised and, at worst, reckless.
Interestingly, the only person who may have defended his endeavour would have been a well-known evangelist, his most significant influence and the last friend to see him alive.
However, he declined to take part in the film.
The Mission is fascinating and poses myriad questions about Christian evangelicalism and why its extremists presume to believe that theirs is a superior faith.
We recently watched the hilarious Book Of Mormon in the West End, and it makes a similar concerted dig.
It shows there is, indeed, a fine line between faith and madness
Unfortunately, no clear answers are forthcoming during The Mission, but it is an award-worthy, compelling documentary nonetheless.
Reasons to watch: Riveting true story
Reasons to avoid: The missing pieces from the jigsaw
Laughs: None
Jumps: None
Vomit: None
Nudity: Yes
Overall rating: 8.5/10
Did you know? Estimates from the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights and the non-profit group Survival International suggest there are between 100 and 200 uncontacted peoples numbering up to 10,000 individuals.
The final word, Jesse Moss: "It’s illegal and, I think, unethical and wrong to go [to North Sentinel Island], so we never tried to go. I didn’t wish to end up either dead or in an Indian prison." IndieWire
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