Greenland and the Guarani

A sparsely populated place, rich in resources, and undefended by any nation-state, is not going to be left alone. It will soon enough be swallowed by a geopolitical power. Sounds like Greenland today, where 57,000 people live on a land mass significantly larger than Alaska, as nominal overseer Denmark provides no defense. And yet it also sounds like the Guarani people of Latin America, three centuries ago. They were left undefended by Spain, and so were conquered and enslaved by Portugal.

Some of us have seen this movie. It’s called The Mission, and it starred Jeremy Irons and Robert De Niro. Four decades after its premiere at the Cannes Film Festival, on May 16, 1986, The Mission is worth seeking out on streaming. It’s not only a cinematic gem—winning the Palme d'Or at Cannes, an Academy Award in Los Angeles, and many other honors around the world—but it’s also topical to today’s headlines. 

Back in the 18th century, the mailed fist of raison d’etat pulped traditional and moral rights. So The Mission’s historical tale of undeveloped land, indigenous people, and the shock of the new provides a grim case study for those thinking about Greenland. 

Yes, history is always rhyme-y. Yet if we learn lessons from the muse Clio (including her Hollywood manifestation), perhaps we can steer current events toward happier outcomes.