Demythologizing American Frontier Myth through the Fusion of 3D Technology: Focus on Avatar(2009)

Abstract

This paper aims to find the 21st revisionist Western and demythologizing frontier myth through James Cameron’s Avatar (2009). The revisionist western reveals the myth of America or the frontier myth should be written through a new alternative narrative. Avatar carefully portrays a newly worked-out revisionist western by using 3D technology and new types of cinematic language such as emotion capture and new characters like Na’vi. In addition, Avatar leaves such a peculiar feeling of nostalgia toward the viewers which makes them wish to remain at Pandora with Na ‘vi tribe. By demythologizing frontier myth, Avatar writes back American frontier myth not by writing it as an extension of White supremacy but as a story on universal respect for life and the environment and toward the Other as Na ‘vi keeps saying, I see you.