Barkskins

Barkskins is an intense and dark dramatization series that premiered on National Geographic in May 2020. Created by Elwood Reid, the show is based on the 2016 novel of the same name by Annie Proulx, a Pulitzer Prize-winning author. The series involves drama, power struggles, mystery, an incomparable historical setting, and a unique narrative depicting the harsh realities of colonization.

Set against the brutal backdrop of the late 17th century in New France (in what is now known as Quebec, Canada), Barkskins showcases the narrative surrounding the collision of cultures and the genesis of a nation. The story primarily follows two indentured servants, René Sel and Charles Duquet (played by Christian Cooke and James Bloor), who seek to make their mark in this imposing and visionless frontier known primarily for its dense, impenetrable forest.

Sel and Duquet are the "barkskins" in question – wood cutters, their work is to clear the virginal arboreal wilderness to make way for farmland and further settlement. Their struggle for survival, clashes with nature as well as cultural dissension becomes the central theme of the series. As they labor endlessly, they contend with not only the harsh conditions of the wilderness, but also the punitive socio-economic system of the time, in which indentured servitude was little more than legalized slavery.

The story also ropes in an intriguing storyline focusing on Hamish Goames (Aneurin Barnard) and Yvon (Zahn McClarnon), representatives of Hudson's Bay Company, who are seeking to uncover the truth behind a mass murder in the remote outpost. These complex characters lift Proulx's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel to television, keeping viewers intrigued and engaged throughout.

Maybe most noteworthy about Barkskins is the representation of the indigenous population during this time. The show introduces English, French, and Iroquoian-speaking tribes, each with its distinct and carefully drawn-out politics and way of life. Barkskins respects the cultural importance and personality of each group and brings out the differences between them without resorting to outdated stereotypes.

The series uses intriguing close-ups of faces, landscapes, and wildlife with a gritty and filmic style that feels both vibrant and harsh, reflecting the brutal realities of life in New France. Barkskins is visually striking. The production design and cinematography effectively transport viewers back in time, creating an authentic cusp of a wild, uncharted new world on the verge of becoming a settled farming frontier.

The cast is studded with stellar performances. David Thewlis holds the commanding presence of a domineering land baron, while Marcia Gay Harden exhibits her extraordinary acting skills embodying a hearty innkeeper. Aneurin Barnard, Thomas M. Wright, Tallulah Haddon, and Lily Sullivan also bring depth to this masterful adaptation with their performances.

While the series is laden with moments of brutal violence, it also handles the delicate topic of cultural convergence and divergence tactfully, thereby highlighting and detailing the nuanced challenges of colonizing a 'new world'. It also demonstrates and explains the notion of Manifest Destiny, a popular yet controversial philosophy during the period, where settlers believed they were destined, even obligated, to expand across North America.

The show is laced with themes of survival, resilience, and ambition that transcends time periods and geographical boundaries making it resonate with the audience. Barkskins strikes a fine balance between being educational and entertaining, effectively dispelling the notion that historical dramas are boring or uninteresting.

Overall, Barkskins is a profound and vivid spectacle of the clash of cultures, the birth of economic mixed economies, and the transformation of paradises into profitable land. Wrapped in an engaging story and brought to life by captivating characters, this show offers a remarkable cinematic experience, not for the faint-hearted, that is as brutally honest as it is beautifully shot. It’s a roller-coaster ride back in time to the heart of the wilderness, where the pursuit of wealth and power rules above all else. Through its portrayal of early migrants, Barkskins drives home the fact that the world we live in is deeply rooted in the legacy left by those who dared to forge ahead in uncharted territories.