MOVIE REVIEW

End of the Spear

Directed by Jim Hanon

End of the Spear is a true story of adventure, tragedy, and a new beginning.

The Waodani people live in the Amazonian jungle, a world of incredible natural beauty which they believe is inhabited by spirits. But they are a violent people who practice tribal revenge; sons are responsible for avenging the deaths of their speared fathers. This tradition has brought the tribe to the edge of extinction.

One of their leaders is Mincayani. He was just a boy when his village was attacked by a rival tribe led by Moipa. He flees into the jungle with Dayumae, a young girl. Coming upon a group of whites, she decides to go with them and is never seen again.

Years later when he is a warrior, Mincayani believes that violence keeps him strong and the worst thing in the world is to appear weak and undecisive. He eventually avenges the deaths of his family by leading a group of Waodani warriors to Moipa’s camp.

Meanwhile, Nate Saint lives along the Amazon with his wife and young son Steve. He is a pilot and an ardent Christian who wants to locate the mysterious Waodani tribe, along with some of his American friends and give them the gospel message so they can be freed from the prison of their practice of revenge. He also fears for the tribe’s survival. Since they are killing so many people, the government is threatening to bring in troops and wipe them out.

While flying over the jungle in his plane,

Nate spots the Waodoni camp and is determined to make contact with them. His son, who is afraid of losing his father, wants to be reassured that he will use his gun to defend himself if attacked. Nate replies: “We can’t shoot the Waodoni. They are not ready for Heaven but we are.” Nate begins regular flights around the Waodoni village.

Mincayani and his people do not know what to make of the large wood bee they see in the sky. The missionaries start by offering gifts in a bucket suspended from the plane. When they land on a sandbar in the river, they try their best to appear friendly and peaceful, but they don’t know enough of the Waodoni language to communicate with the Indians.

Mincayani thinks they are cannibals and remembering the disappearance of Dayumae does not trust these white men. After two members of his tribe lie about what happened to Dayumae, Micayani and his men spear and kill the missionaries.

Time passes, and Dayumae’s sister arrives at the white settlement looking for her. Dayumae has been raised by little Steve’s aunt Rachel, who speaks Waodoni. Dayumae and some of the missionary wives decide to make contact with the tribe and see if they can live among them, which was the original plan of their slain husbands.

Although Mincayani is convinced that Dayumae is a spirit, Kimo (one of his warriors) accepts the women and the message they bring about a God who had a son who was also speared but he didn’t spear back, so that the people who speared him would live well. Soon young Steve and his mother join the others at the Waodoni camp.

The last segment of End of the Spear takes place when Steve Saint, now an adult living in the United States, returns to Ecuador for the funeral of his aunt Rachel, who had continued to live with the Waodani. The Indians ask Steve to carry on the work of his father and aunt. What follows takes place at the site where his father was killed 40 years earlier. It is an emotional sunburst that lifts up in a convincing and salutary way the startling power of the Gospel’s message of reconciliation.

Non-violence is more than an attitude or an ideal; it is a new way of living based on love and compassion for all. The old law of an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth leads to an endless cycle of violence and destruction. It creates hatred, leaves new victims, and wreaks havoc on whole communities.

What You Need:

• 300gGreen-Lipped Mussels

• 300gTarakihiFilletsdeboned, skin removed

• 150gPrawns-shelled anddeveined(acouple of koura tails are awesomeifyouhave any)

• 2½cupsShortGrain

Rice

• 1.5L Fish Stock

• 1LargeOnion

• 4 Garlic Cloves

• ½ cup Frozen Peas

• 1BunchofParsley

• 2tspDriedHoropito

• 1tspPaprika

• 6 Saffron Strands

• 1TbspPiripiriChilli

Paste

• 2 Lemons - zest and juice

• CookingOil

• Salt, to taste

Let’s Get Started:

• Debone and remove skin from the tarakihi fillets, then cut into 3x3cm pieces.

• Heat a large frying pan with a thick base on high heat. When the pan is very hot, add oil and brown the tarakihi on each side, then remove and set aside.

• Leave the pan on the heat.

• Add the small diced onion and fry until onions are soft and lightly caramelized, approximately 3-4 minutes.

• Add peeled and thinly sliced garlic and piripiri paste, then cook until the garlic becomes soft and translucent.

• Add the rice to the onions and garlic. Cook for 2 minutes at medium heat, stirring constantly to toast the grains.

• Add the horopito, paprika and saffron. Cook for 1 minute stirring constantly.

• Add half the fish stock and bring to the boil, always stirring to ensure the rice doesn’t catch on the bottom.

• When the rice has almost absorbed all the liquid, add the remaining fish stock. Lower the temperature to a simmer. Cook for 10 minutes.

• Add the green-lipped mussels, prawns (or the koura tails if you have any), tarakihi and peas to the pan. Cover with a lid or tin foil and turn the heat down low. Cook for 10 minutes or until the mussels have opened.

• Remove lid and finish the paella with herbs, lemon zest, lemon juice and season with salt.

Enjoy!