Diversity in “Sweet Land” by Ali Selim

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Table of Contents

Introduction
Theme of the Film
Essence of Diversity
Main Characters
Reactions by Others
My Reaction
Conclusion
Works Cited

Introduction

Sweet land is a film which was directed and written by Ali Selim. The stars in the film include Alex Kingston, Tim Gurnee, Elizabeth Reaser John Heard, Alan Cumming, Lou’s smith and Ned Beatty. The film is set in Minnesota in the 1920’s. The foundation of the story is Will Weaver’s “A Gravestone Made of Wheat” which was written in 1989.

Theme of the Film

The theme of the film is ethnic stigma. The whole story centers on Inge Altenberg who is an orphan. From the way she is received in America to the way society reacts to her immigration status (Weaver 46-52). She ends up being isolated with her partner just because of her ethnic background and immigration status. Their bid to be married is thwarted after the town clerk as well as the church minister refused to conduct the ceremonies. This is a clear subjection to humiliation simply because of belonging to a different ethnic group. The film represents the horrors and agonies of immigrants in society.

Essence of Diversity

The movie presents the challenges and problems experienced by immigrants. The stigma associated with being an immigrant is well portrayed in the film. The issues of diversity exposed by the film are the treatment extended to immigrants. The struggles they have to endure in order to survive in this world of quasi diversity. The marriage between Olaf and Inge is portrayed as to be causing a lot of attention from the neighborhood after the natives learn that the girl is an immigrant. In fact the case is made worse by the fact that the immigrant doesn’t have papers. This symbolizes the stigma society puts on immigrants especially those who are illegal (Weaver 96). When the two cohabit, they become isolated by society and end up doing every thing on their own. This makes their lives more complicated.

Main Characters

The main characters in the film are Inge Altenberg and Olaf Torvic. The two find themselves in a strange situation. Inge arrives in America from Norway where she had met Olaf’s parents. She comes to meet Olaf so that they get married. However things get worse when the people around come to learn that Inge is a German immigrant without papers. Her membership of the American Socialist Party consequently adds to her problems. Due to the scandals, the town clerk and the church minister refuse to marry them which lead them to cohabit. The society abandons and isolates them making their lives very uncomfortable.

Reactions by Others

The natives of the Minnesota react strangely to the news that Inge is a German immigrant without papers. This reaction causes a lot of trouble for both Inge and Olaf. Their marriage is put on the spot by the society stigmatizing reaction to their immigration status.

My Reaction

In my case I could have reacted differently to the whole scenario. I don’t consider it a big deal to be an immigrant and I always believe that as long as an immigrant is not causing trouble to society he or she should be allowed to live in harmony with others. I would have been supportive to the couple in all aspects since it is none of their fault to be immigrants.

Conclusion

Sweet land is a film whose story rotates around the life and experiences of immigrants. The film is based on a story by Will Weavers. The story is titled “A Gravestone Made of Wheat” The film is set in a Minnesota village in the 1920s.Through out the film the lives of Inge Altenberg who happens to be a German immigrant without papers and his would be husband Olaf Torvic are portrayed to have been affected by the immigration status of Inge. The Minnesota village reacts in a hostile manner to the fact that Inge is an immigrant without papers. The issue of her joining the American Socialist Party also causes a lot of stigma. The films theme is the ethnic stigma which is extended by society to the two partners.

Works Cited

Weaver, Will. A Gravestone Made of Wheat. Washington: Graywolf Press, 1990.

Weaver, Will. Sweet Land: New and Selected Stories. Minnesota: Minnesota Historical Society, 2006.

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