The Enigma of Benito Cereno

Based on real events, official records, the novel by Herman Melville & the Journal of Amasa Delano

Screenplay by Stewart Rein

Research

Page 1

Slaves & Condition on Ships

Audio

The Hatchways Holding Slaves

Other research for this film includes, navigation charts, studies on colonial law and spanish crown law, maratime law, sexual mores, homosexuality in the 18th century and bordellos, histories of Lima and Valparaiso, slave conditions, auctions, proclamations, costumes, the Spanish monarchy, Charles IV, official court documents and records, depositions, letters, Merchantman ships, Whalers, medical and other related studies on illness, diseases and cures

An Eyewitness Account

"The slaves were all inclosed under grated hatchways between decks. The space was so low that they sat between each other's legs and were stowed so close together that there was no possibility of their lying down or at all changing their position by night or day. As they belonged to and were shipped on account of different individuals, they were all branded like sheep with the owner's marks of different forms. These were impressed under their breasts or on their arms, and, as the mate informed me with perfect indifference 'burnt with the red-hot iron.' Over the hatchway stood a ferocious-looking fellow with a scourge of many twisted thongs in his hand, who was the slave driver of the ship, and whenever he heard the slightest noise below, he shook it over them and seemed eager to exercise it. I was quite pleased to take this hateful badge out of his hand, and I have kept it ever since as a horrid memorial of reality, should I ever be disposed to forget the scene I witnessed."

The Reverend Robert Walsh, May 22 1829 Walsh, Robert, Notices of Brazil in 1828 and 1829 (1831).

Contact:

Stewart Rein, Lotus Films, 213 Muench Street, Harrisburg, PA 17102

Tel: 717 773 4810 Fax: 717 238 2232 Email: childsr1@live.com

The Slaves

"One experience did take place on the Middle Passage, which was of lasting importance, and paradoxically, of great subsequent comfort to the slave. It was the formation of the strong bonds of friendship among all the slaves on the slave ship. These friends became known in the West Indies as "shipmates" and their love and affection for each other was proverbial. Stewart tells us that the term shipmate "seems synonymous in their view with brother or sister," and according to Kelly, "shipmate is the dearest word and bond of affectionate sympathy amongst the Africans ... they look upon each other's children mutually as their own." It was customary for children to call their parents' shipmates "uncle" or "aunt." So strong were the bonds between shipmates that sexual intercourse between them, in the view of one observer, was considered incestuous."

The Slaves
A question of origins: the social and cultural roots of African American cultures.
By: Ntloedibe, France
Publication: The Journal of African American History 2006