Human Dignity and Jibaro
By Zehra Selin Tunca
Jibaro, directed by Alberto Mielgo, is the final episode of Love, Death & Robots, a highly popular show on Netflix that has received two Emmy awards. At first glance, the story of Jibaro may appear to be purely mythical, with a siren luring and seducing men to their death in order to protect her gold. However, I believe that Mielgo focuses on a much deeper political perspective rather than a toxic relationship. The name “Jibaro” refers to the indigenous people encountered by Columbus, who were subjected to colonialism and were nearly extinct by the mid-16th century. It also means “Puerto Rican Spirit,” symbolizing wildness and untamed nature.
The episode revolves around a golden woman adorned with gold and jewelry, which represents her power and authentic self. She is violated by a knight who strips her, steals her gold, and abuses her trust. This symbolism connotes the dynamics of colonialism in the relationship between men and women.
The knight trespasses on the siren’s territory by invading her natural surroundings, specifically the lake and the waters. He violates her body, first seducing her for the gold, then assaulting her, rendering her unconscious in order to steal the gold. Finally, he throws her violated body into the water to dispose of her. When viewed from a colonialistic perspective, this narrative reflects the ongoing colonial practice of rape. As Sarah Deer states, “Rape is more than a metaphor for colonization; it is integral to colonization.”
It is also ironic that Jibaro is a silent film, with no words uttered throughout. This highlights the significance of freedom of speech. The siren is unable to communicate except through singing or shrieking, while the deaf knight is unable to speak due to his deafness. This silence serves as a powerful metaphor for the relationship between men and women, as well as between colonizers/oppressors and the colonized/oppressed. Furthermore, it suggests that when freedom of speech is violated, human connections deteriorate, leading to the disregard and abuse of values. The silent nature of the short film underscores the importance of protecting the right to freedom of expression, which is intertwined with human rights and can be evaluated in the context of an effective democracy and respect for human rights.
