On the way to Oregon
| Movie | |
|---|---|
| German title | On the way to Oregon |
| Original title | Meek's cutoff |
| Country of production | United States |
| original language | English |
| Publishing year | 2010 |
| length | 102 minutes |
| Age rating | FSK 6 |
| Rod | |
| Director | Kelly Reichardt |
| script | Jon Raymond |
| production |
Elizabeth Cuthrell , Neil Kopp , Anish Savjani , David Urrutia |
| music | Jeff Grace |
| camera | Christopher Blauvelt |
| cut | Kelly Reichardt |
| occupation | |
| |
On the Way to Oregon (original title: Meek's Cutoff ) is an American western from Evenstar Films, Film Science and Harmony Productions from 2010. Kelly Reichardt directed the film and Jon Raymond wrote the screenplay .
Set on the Oregon Trail in 1845, the film is about white emigrants who get lost and rely on the help of an Indian. It is based on a true story and takes up the historical figure Stephen Meek , whose abbreviation ( Meek Cutoff ) of the conventional route to Oregon is also the model for the original name of the film.
The film was shot in Oregon in the USA and was released in the United States on April 8, 2011 and in Germany on November 10, 2011 in the original version with German subtitles. He was nominated at the Venice International Film Festival in 2010.
action
The film takes place exclusively in the wilderness of the northwestern United States at the time of the Oregon Trail. Three emigrant families are on their way to Oregon in 1845 with three cattle-drawn covered wagons as well as riding horses and pack horses . The boy scout Stephen Meek hired by them wants to lead them over a shortcut through impassable terrain, but they lose their orientation, so that water and supplies are gradually running out and trust in Meek is waning. After the group suddenly meets a lonely Indian and is able to capture him, a controversy ensues about whether to kill him or to accept help from him, with part of the group suspecting that the Indian is cunning. When Meek threatens the Indian with a pistol, one of the women, Emily, points a gun at Meek, who finally gives up and spares the prisoner. Ultimately, the whites confide in this, which will save them.
reception
An article about the film appeared in “Die Zeit” online on November 10, 2011. He sees a contrast to classic westerns and some of their supposed clichés and also notes a comparatively outstanding role of the women involved, from whose point of view the details of the arduous carriage and wandering life are described. In particular, the article focuses on the interpretation of Emily by actress Michelle Williams. In addition, the article benevolently goes into the scenic focus of the film. Also relatively little is spoken.
An article about the film appeared in “Der Spiegel” online on November 10, 2011. He sees it as an ordeal for the viewer with beautiful landscape shots and highlights the actress Michelle Williams. He quotes the American critic Dan Kois, who compared the film with vegetables in the sense of a necessary but not tasty evil, as well as counter-critics who, in turn, compared conventional westerns ( “blockbusters” ) with quick meals ( “fast food” ).
"Atmospheric cinema western drama without the usual genre ingredients, but with a clever book and powerful pictures."
"With this silent drama in western garb, the filmmakers create a grandiose picture of American reality and mentality."
“Realistic alternative to the romanticization of traditional westerns. Unusual and attractive about this low-budget production are the female narrative perspective, the dramaturgy, which describes the monotony of a hard life in just a few words and in long shots, as well as the image design, which in the claustrophobic format of 1.33: 1 people as draws lost visitors in vast landscapes full of dangers. "
“A meditative, poetic-realistic reflection on the confrontation of people with a hostile and alien environment and the group dynamics that arise from it. Beyond its Western dramaturgy, the film lives from the sensual 'immersion' in the everyday life of the settlers and the tensions between the characters. "
Others
- The film was released on DVD by the Absolut publishing house.
- It ran on December 8, 2014 on German television on Arte.
- Director Kelly Reichardt relied on the diaries of women on the Oregon Trail, among other things.
Web links
- On the way to Oregon in the Internet Movie Database (English)
Individual evidence
- ↑ Release Certificate for En route to Oregon . Voluntary self-regulation of the film industry , September 2011 (PDF; test number: 129 246 K).
- ↑ Time
- ↑ The mirror
- ↑ Kino.de
- ↑ Filmstarts.de
- ↑ Weltbild.de
- ↑ On the way to Oregon. In: Lexicon of International Films . Film service , accessed November 3, 2016 .
- ↑ Peripherfilm.de