Alienation, Assimilation, Assumption, Adaptation

Week 9

"The Brother from Another Planet" is a science fiction film that uses the story of an alien who lands in Harlem, New York, to explore themes of immigration and alienation. The movie presents a powerful metaphor for the experiences of immigrants and people who feel like outsiders in society. The Brother, played by Joe Morton, is a humanoid alien who is mute and has special telepathic abilities such as repairing or healing objects as well as hearing past histories. When he first lands on Earth, he has little memory of his home planet and how he got to Earth, and can not communicate with people. This situation reflects the experience of many immigrants and refugees who leave their home countries and arrive in a new place with little to no knowledge of language or customs. As the story unfolds, the Brother encounters many different kinds of people in Harlem, some who are welcoming and others who are suspicious or hostile towards him due to his differences (his fixing capabilities, muteness, as well as his blackness). This aspect of the movie mirrors the experiences of immigrants and people of color who face discrimination and prejudice. Throughout the film, The Brother navigates the complexities of human society, learning to communicate and understand behaviors he may not have experienced before. The Brother adapts to this new culture by finding and taking job opportunities presented to him such as an arcade repairman, using his technological skills to survive in and adjust to New York City. The movie's themes of alienation and adaptation discuss not only the immigrant experience but also how black people are treated differently than others and how that can affect the lives of black people on earth, showcasing assumption, stereotyping and violence.