A friend of mine shared this video on his blog and I immediately thought it was something you, dear readers, might enjoy. It’s in two parts.
Kindness
Precious — A Mine Rich in Gems
Film:
Precious, 2009
Starring Gabourey Sidibe, Mo’Nique, Paula Patton, and Mariah Carey.
Synopsis (from Netflix):
Viciously abused by her mother (a riveting, Oscar-winning Mo’Nique) and pregnant by her father, Harlem teen Precious Jones (Oscar nominee Gabourey Sidibe) has an unexpected chance at a different life when she enrolls in an alternative school. Teacher Blu Rain (Paula Patton) encourages her, but Precious must battle unimaginable barriers everywhere in her life.
My Thoughts:
First I would like to apologize for not writing sooner. I had watched this film the first weekend in April and had meant to write a post for you all then. I committed a blogger faux pas.
As for the film, this is one time I am glad it is not a true story as I would not wish anyone the amount of suffering Precious Jones had. I just adore the message though, that through love and education she was able to see value in her life and work to overcome her obstacles, as insurmountable as they may seem.
Regard man as a mine rich in gems of inestimable value. Education can, alone, cause it to reveal its treasures, and enable mankind to benefit therefrom. – Bahá’u’lláh
Her teachers, both at her first school and at the new alternative school, saw something precious within Ms. Jones. They could see that what appeared to be ugly rocks were actually uncut, unpolished gems and they worked hard with Precious to polish them until she was able to read and able to break free from her abusive home environment.
This is something we can all learn from. We all have gems in the mine of ourselves, as does every other human being even illiterate pregnant teenagers. The issue is that these gems have not been cut and polished yet so to the untrained eye they can seem like worthless rocks. Blu Rain could see the end in the beginning, she could see those gems, and worked hard with Precious so that she could see them too and would want to polish them through perseverance. We all have talents but sometimes we can’t see them. A great teacher can, and can get you to see them too, and more importantly infect you with the enthusiasm to want to work to cultivate them.
Your thoughts?
What gems have you seen hidden in others? What have you helped others achieve? What have you achieved through someone’s encouragement?
Cape of Good Hope — Love, Compassion, and Race.
Film:
Cape of Good Hope, 2004
Starring Debbie Brown, Eriq Ebouaney, Nthati Moshesh and Morne Visser.
Synopsis (from NetFlix):
Mark Bamford’s thought-provoking comedy explores the ever-present friction between class, race and faith in modern-day South Africa, tracing the intersection of multiple lives. Although her tiny animal shelter is open to all creatures great and small, Kate still can’t seem to open her heart to romance. Meanwhile, her employees and clientele are in need of rescue themselves.
My Thoughts:
First off, I highly recommend this film. If you haven’t seen it, please do. It’s on NetFlix Instant so you could even watch it tonight. It’s an award winning independent film and deservedly so.
Ok, hyping aside let’s get to it. The film opens with this quote which is a theme that runs through the movie:
He should show kindness to animals, how much more unto his fellow-man, to him who is endowed with the power of utterance. ~Bahá’u’lláh
South Africa is known for it’s institutionalize Racism in the form of Apartheid and has been working to overcome that negative legacy. This film focuses on people from a variety of racial backgrounds and classes within South Africa, all of whom are affiliated somehow with the Animal Shelter. Through the film we are able to see how those of different races, religions, and backgrounds can potentially be united and work together in love and harmony within the staff of the shelter, but then we also see how outside of the shelter there are still tensions and injustices regarding race, class, and religion. The multi-level “shelter” for both animals and people reminds me of this prayer:
I have wakened in Thy shelter, O my God, and it becometh him that seeketh that shelter to abide within the Sanctuary of Thy protection and the Stronghold of Thy defense. Illumine my inner being, O my Lord, with the splendors of the Dayspring of Thy Revelation, even as Thou didst illumine my outer being with the morning light of Thy favor. ~Bahá’u’lláh
The film is great at using subtlety and metaphor to help unravel these thematic threads. For example people frequently request pure breeds, whereas the shelter mostly has mutts and mongrels. The one pure breed it does have at the moment had been trained to attack blacks by it’s previous owner and so is slated to be put down. However a tenacious Congolese refugee takes the abuse from the animal while treating it with love and eventually is able to get the dog to stop attacking him despite the color of his skin.
The fact that people want pure breeds may seem harmless, but the film shows how that mentality when applied to humans is dangerous. Overcoming prejudice and injustice are themes throughout the film, and the way this is done is through patience, love and compassion.
Each of the characters goes through tests, each different, but each allows them to make the better choice towards love and unity, or the less good choice towards selfishness and ego. The characters do not always make the right choice in the beginning, but are able to learn and grow and make better choices by the end of the film.
This movie was fun, but felt real, and showed how it can be done, how we all can learn to be more loving, compassionate, and truth seeking, to overcome our prejudices and our baggage.
Your thoughts?
Magnolia — Overcoming the Sins of the Father
Film:
Magnolia, 1999
Starring Tom Cruise, William H. Macy, John C. Reilly, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Felicity Huffman, Philip Baker Hall, and Alfred Molina.
Synopsis (from IMDB):
24 hours in L.A.; it’s raining cats and dogs. Two parallel and intercut stories dramatize men about to die: both are estranged from a grown child, both want to make contact, and neither child wants anything to do with dad. Earl Partridge’s son is a charismatic misogynist; Jimmy Gator’s daughter is a cokehead and waif. A mild and caring nurse intercedes for Earl, reaching the son; a prayerful and upright beat cop meets the daughter, is attracted to her, and leads her toward a new calm. Meanwhile, guilt consumes Earl’s young wife, while two whiz kids, one grown and a loser and the other young and pressured, face their situations. The weather, too, is quirky. Written by {jhailey@hotmail.com}
My Thoughts:
This film is dark, and sad, and clever. Through out it one of the themes I picked up on was how “sins of the father” affect the children. Various characters suffered abuse, abandonment, and molestation at the hands of their fathers leaving them angry, depressed, and struggling. The film even quoted scripture regarding it.
“And he walked in all the sins of his father, which he had done before him: and his heart was not perfect with the LORD his God” 1 Kings 15:3
I remember watching this film when it first came out and really hating it. I realize now that what I disliked was the tragedy caused by the actions of the fathers in this film. The film reveals how much pain and suffering there is, and how so much of it we put onto each other. Frank T.J. Mackey, abandoned by his father, and left to take care of his dying mother, rewrote his own history. Ironically, he became a misogynist and used women just as badly if not worse than his father did. Jimmy Gator left his daughter a neurotic, self-loathing, drug abuser by the worst sin of a father, sexual molestation.
“If love and agreement are manifest in a single family, that family will advance, become illumined and spiritual; but if enmity and hatred exist within it destruction and dispersal are inevitable” ~ ‘Abdu’l-Bahá
We see evidence in this film of family disunity and how destructive it can be. Often the rift starts between the married party and then effect the children. Several characters had committed infidelity. In one scene Linda Partridge (Julianne Moore) broke down in tears lamenting how she did not love her husband when she married him, and just wanted his money, and so she had constantly been unfaithful. Now that they had been together for a while, and he was dying she realized she truly did love him and because of that could not possibly take a cent from the will. The lawyer told her that adultery was not illegal. That did not comfort her because either way it was wrong.
“Every other word of Bahá’u’lláh and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s Writings is a preachment on moral and ethical conduct; all else is the form, the chalice, into which the pure spirit must be poured; without the spirit and the action which must demonstrate it, it is a lifeless form. When we realize that Bahá’u’lláh says adultery retards the progress of the soul in the after life – so grievous is it – and that drinking destroys the mind, and not to so much as approach it, we see how clear are our teachings on these subjects.” ~ From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi.
I think this scene was an incredibly potent one and points to how often the people who suffer most by committing a wrong against someone is not the victim but the perpetrator. God has given us spiritual guidance, whether it be the 10 commandments, or the Laws of Bahá’u’lláh, or the Middle Path of Buddhism, that is meant to protect us from ourselves. These laws actually free us from the pain we would suffer by not following them. This film shows that pain, whether it is through drug use, sexual impropriety, or not being a good parent.
It also shows how important honesty and truthfulness are. Many characters were both not honest with themselves or with others, but despite trying they could not hide from the truth for long. While most of the film was dark and forlorn, there was a glimmer of hope in two story lines, one of which touched upon the importance of kindness and the other of truth.
Stanley, a quiz kid genius has had a lot of pressure to deal with. While it is not explicitly stated, he lives in a single parent household with his father. His father is often on his case, and picks him up from school late. He brings him to the game show and is more excited about the prospect of Stanley winning a lot of money, than for his actual wellbeing. Stanley is a good kid. He is under a lot of pressure, and because he arrived late to the studio was not able to go to the bathroom before the show started. He is on a role answering every question, until his bladder fails him. Mortified he sits like a statue and no longer participates. He realized that everyone was really just using him. The show for ratings, his father for the potential payout, and he is left forlorn. It is hard to see a child experience disillusionment, but in the end Stanley stands up for himself telling his father that he has to be nicer to him. Stanley has the potential not to fall in the same trap Quiz Kid Donnie Smith (William H. Macy) did, and for this there is hope.
“Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see.” ~Mark Twain
The other hopeful story consists of an unlikely match. Officer Jim Kurring (John C. Reilly) and Claudia Partridge (Melora Walters) met through a disturbance call. He was a cop and she a drug-addled victim of abuse. She spent the beginning trying to hide the fact of her drug use from him. However, the cop liked her anyway and asked her on a date. He was a Christian and prayed to God regarding meeting this woman. In fact, they showed him in prayer more than once, and he was the only character in the film portrayed with any faith.
As they went on their date the woman asked if he ever lied on dates, because he was afraid the other person would not like the truth. Or even if he hadn’t lied, maybe left important things out. He said that was natural, and tried to waylay her fears. She then said they shouldn’t do that. They should be honest and tell their secrets.
“Truthfulness is the foundation of all the virtues of the world of humanity. Without truthfulness, progress and success in all of the worlds of God are impossible for a soul. When this holy attribute is established in man, all the divine qualities will also become realized.” ~ ‘Abdu’l-Bahá
She clearly was trying to get up the courage to admit her addictions and seek help. She told him she thought he would hate her, because he was so together, and such a good person, and she was not. He then comforted her by admitting that he had lost his gun that day and was now the laughing stock of the entire police force. He too made mistakes. She then kissed him and ran off, chickening out. At the end of the film though, there is another scene with them together, and the cop is talking about how people have great capacity to forgive and to help each other through times of trouble, and she smiles.
She was onto something about honesty and he was onto something about help and forgiveness, and trying not to be judgmental. It is through these two characters, and the healing power of faith and listening to divine guidance that this film has a sliver of hope to it.
Validation — A Kindly Tongue Attracts Hearts
Film:
Validation, 2007
Starring TJ Thyne and Vicki Davis.
My Thoughts:
This is a brilliant short film that just makes you smile. At 16 minutes it brilliantly delves into the topics of kindness and validation in ways longer films haven’t. I would like to thank LuminousRealities for sharing this find first, and like her will implore you to do yourself a favor and watch this film as soon as you can. It is an illustration of the power and effect of our words. A compliment can go so much further than we realize. It can not only make someone’s day, but can give them the strength they need to get through the hard times. This is not just common sense, but something that has been encouraged by prophets, religious leaders, and wise people throughout time. Here are just a few examples:
A kindly tongue is the lodestone of the hearts of men. It is the bread of the spirit, it clotheth the words with meaning, it is the fountain of the light of wisdom and understanding.
No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted. ~Aesop
If you are motivated by loving kindness and compassion, there are many ways to bring happiness to others right now, starting with kind speech. ~Thich Nhat Hanh
So enjoy this breath of fresh air and smile! 🙂
Grapevine Fires — Love and Loss
It is the end of the semester for me, so I’ve been caught up in papers and final projects and have been neglecting the blog. My birthday recently passed and my wonderful sister sent me the new Death Cab for Cutie EP on iTunes. It came with this music video which I just watched and it made me cry. It is such a sad and beautiful story based on the wildfires that happened in California a little while back. It really got me thinking about how in times of tragedy communities come together in solidarity. When events like 9/11 or Katrina or the Tsunami happen the silver lining is that you get to see the love people have for one another and the sacrifices they are willing to make to help each other out. So please enjoy this video.
Sunshine Cleaning — Turning Dirty Work into Service
Film:
Sunshine Cleaning, 2009
Starring Amy Adams, Emily Blunt, Alan Arkin, and Steve Zahn.
Synopsis (From IMDB):
Rose Lorkowski (Amy Adams) finds herself a single mother attempting to support her son Oscar (Jason Spevack) and her unreliable sister Norah (Emily Blunt) while working a mundane job as a maid. Once the head cheerleader in school with plenty of prospects, Rose now has little to show for her years, and while she still sees the former lead football player (Steve Zahn), it is little more than a despondent affair. When Oscar is expelled from public school, Rose takes a job as a bio-hazard crime-scene cleaner to help pay for a private education, and brings Norah on to help in her steadily growing business. As the sisters work to clean up the messes left behind by the chaotic lives of others, they must learn to reconcile their own differences and overcome a troubled past if they hope to prosper in their newfound venture.
My Thoughts:
I do not know why I have been attracted to watching films which have centered around death lately. Perhaps that is what life and spirituality are all about: to prepare us for death and encourage us to make the most of the time we have on earth.
Sunshine Cleaning focusses on people who have struggled with making the most out of life. It is revealed throughout the film that there are actually a lot of unresolved issues as well as grief- burdens that justifiably have weighed on these very real, and very relatable characters- which explain why it has been hard for them to thrive. This films does an excellent job of feeling real, like you could actually know these people. They do not have superpowers, they are not uncommenly witty, things do not work out magically for them. Instead, they are people like you or me who have to struggle with work and with daily life.
Rose Lorkowski (Amy Adams) immediately captures your heart. She tries to keep upbeat despite having a lousy job, raising a child alone, and having to care for her quirky father, and her nare-do-well sister. She is also having an affair with her (now married) high school sweetheart. Her self esteem has taken quite a beating and her parental and financial troubles are incredibly stressful, yet she does not give up and strives to remain upbeat even if the smile is strained.
Therefore, strive to show in the human world that women are most capable and efficient, that their hearts are more tender and susceptible than the hearts of men, that they are more philanthropic and responsive toward the needy and suffering, that they are inflexibly opposed to war and are lovers of peace. ~ ‘Abdu’l-Bahá
When an opportunity presents itself Rose decides to start her own business and go into Bio-hazard Crime Scene cleaning. At first she has no idea what she is doing, but with the help of her sister and a friendly Janitorial Supply Store owner, she is able to build it up. She decides to call the business “Sunshine Cleaning” which is indicative of her outlook. Crime scenes are messy. They are full of blood and often other vile things like rotting food or trash. People look at what she does as morbid. Yet Rose looks past that to the good, of being able to help people through a hard time and making the world a little better and easier for them.
“We come into people’s lives when they’ve experienced something profound. And we help. In some small way, we help.” ~ Rose Lorkowski (Amy Adams)
This is really what I would like to focus on, how to Rose this is not just a job, it’s a service. It is a way she can show people love and compassion. Crime scenes are not easy deaths. She cleans up homicides and suicides, and there are people left behind in shock dealing with the tragedy. This is juxtaposed with her prior job cleaning homes of the privileged, of partying college students. While is is the same skill set, the same technical job, cleaning the homes of the dead and removing the bio-hazards and evidence of crime takes it to another level. Any job we do, whether maid, doctor, accountant, or engineer, can be transformed into a spiritual experience when we think of the people we are serving and put them first. Rose did just that.
The education of each child is compulsory…. In addition to this wide-spread education each child must be taught a profession, art, or trade, so that every member of the community will be enabled to earn his own livelihood. Work done in the spirit of service is the highest form of worship… ~ ‘Abdu’l-Bahá
And she discovered this profession in a time of her own desperation. Her son was given the ultimatum to go on behavior modifying drugs or be kicked out of school. She knew that drugging her son was not the answer and wanted to put him in a school that would better cater to his learning differences. Out of love for him she tried a new job, despite her misgivings, and discovered her love for it and the people she was able to help.
Unfortunately it was almost all taken away from her when there was fire which brunt down a clients house. Rose had been waiting for the results of her certification exam before purchasing insurance for her business, hoping a good result would lead to lower rates and therefore had no safety net. She was devastated to watch everything she had worked for, literally, go up in flames.
O SON OF MAN! Should prosperity befall thee, rejoice not, and should abasement come upon thee, grieve not, for both shall pass away and be no more. ~
Word must be conjoined with deed. You must love your friend better than yourself; yes, be willing to sacrifice yourself… I desire that you be ready to sacrifice everything for each other, even life itself… ~’Abdu’l-Bahá
Watching this film made me ask myself: Am I ready to serve? Am I ready to truly sacrifice? On this earth we all have a part to play, and what I do know is that I too am not living to my fullest capacity. I could serve with a pure heart more often, and sacrifice my time, means, and energy more fully, and help to bring a little more love and a little more peace to this world. So often when we talk about peace we think big, ending wars, but wars are just social ills scaled upward. In the Lorkowski family there were internal wars that needed a peaceful resolution. So often when we talk of love we talk of romance, but love is more than that.
I charge you all that each one of you concentrate all the thoughts of your heart on love and unity. When a thought of war comes, oppose it by a stronger thought of peace. A thought of hatred must be destroyed by a more powerful thought of love. Thoughts of war bring destruction to all harmony, well-being, restfulness and content. Thoughts of love are constructive of brotherhood, peace, friendship, and happiness. ~’Abdu’l-Bahá
I can do these two things. I can conquer my thoughts of hate with thoughts of love, and I can overcome thoughts of war with thoughts of peace, and maybe in doing that bit by bit day by day, I like Rose can make the world a little better.
Your Thoughts?
Henry Poole is Here — Despair vs. Faith
Film:
Henry Poole is Here, 2008
Starring Luke Wilson, Radha Mitchell, Adriana Barraza, Cheryl Hines, and George Lopez.
Synopsis (from NetFlix):
Rather than living his last days to the fullest after learning he only has six weeks left on earth, Henry Poole (Luke Wilson) cuts himself off from his fiancée and his family — and binges on Twinkies, pizza and liquor. But a fortuitous miracle and a clash with his eccentric, meddling neighbors derail Henry’s plans in director Mark Pellington’s witty black comedy.
My Thoughts:
I set this post up way back in January, when I had seen the film on the plane coming back from Israel. I knew it was a spiritually potent film, but I had gotten stuck on what exactly I had wanted to say. This film wrestles with a subject we all must face sooner or later: our mortality. I am still relatively young and people my age generally do not think about death, imagining it to be far from now, but death can come upon thee anytime unheralded.
Henry Poole had to face his death with his life still in front of him. Often it can be easier to face death if one has faith, since a belief that life continues in spiritual form after the death of the material body can be both comforting and a relief. Henry did not have faith though. If anything, his faith was lost through this test. He returned to his childhood home, bemoaning his lowly state, drinking himself into an even lower state of depression, and treating his friends and family with wrath. But we should not judge him
… for none knoweth what his own end shall be. How often hath a sinner attained, at the hour of death, to the essence of faith, and, quaffing the immortal draught, hath taken his flight unto the Concourse on high! And how often hath a devout believer, at the hour of his soul’s ascension, been so changed as to fall into the nethermost fire! ~ Bahá’u’lláh
Despite Henry Poole giving up on God, God did not give up on Henry Poole. Soon a water stain appeared on the wall of his house which looked like Jesus to those who had eyes to see. His neighbor, Esperanza (so aptly named Hope), a person of great faith soon brings all of her Catholic friends, as well as a priest to see this miracle. Henry is annoyed and angered at both their naivete, ignorance, and willful foolishness. It is just a stain and he insists on removing it. Try as he may it will not scrub off.
Esperanza is patient with him though. She knows he is suffering, and she too has suffered. The love of her life had died, leaving her alone, and when Henry learns of this he becomes more patient with her too. Esperanza through her actions is the embodiment of faith and of virtue, even if she is a bit nosy.
The virtues and attributes pertaining unto God are all evident and manifest, and have been mentioned and described in all the heavenly Books. Among them are trustworthiness, truthfulness, purity of heart while communing with God, forbearance, resignation to whatever the Almighty hath decreed, contentment with the things His Will hath provided, patience, nay, thankfulness in the midst of tribulation, and complete reliance, in all circumstances, upon Him. ~ Bahá’u’lláh
Henry’s faith is again tested when the mute, little girl from next door starts hanging around. He begins to feel for her and her mother, and when she touches the wall she begins to talk again. Her mother is over joyed, knowing that her daughters affliction had been a response to her father having left. This is a side note, but I think very important. Our actions have consequences and can effect the ones we love deeply. This little girl was abandoned by her father, and because of that feared speaking.
Henry is able to open up and to love again, despite his mortality. He finally opens up to her mother about his condition, and limited time left on earth. Unfortunately the little girl overhears, and in grief returns to muteness. This is too much for Henry to bear. It was enough that he had to be (in his eyes) cursed with dying young, but then to hurt the people he cares about was too much. In frustration, and anger, he destroys the wall, which represents to him false hope, lies, and deceit.
While anger and destruction are far from ideal, Henry was feeling powerless and not in control and by destroying the wall he was trying to take back control. Henry could not accept the Will of God, and through fighting it created even more pain for himself.
Through the entire film we watch people transform. We watch Henry grieve, and grow, and open up, then relapse, but finally transform. We watch the little girl do the same. We watch the neighbors come together. In the end, this is the purpose of religion, to transform people. It is the reason why Jesus came, in fact why every Messenger of God came, to bring hope and transformation.
And yet, is not the object of every Revelation to effect a transformation in the whole character of mankind, a transformation that shall manifest itself both outwardly and inwardly, that shall affect both its inner life and external conditions? For if the character of mankind be not changed, the futility of God’s universal Manifestations would be apparent. ~ Bahá’u’lláh
Your Thoughts?
Music Video: Glósóli by Sigur Rós
My dear readers, I know I have been neglectful! There are so many drafts of posts and despite it being spring break I can’t seem to make any of them come to fruition. So instead I will leave you with this beautiful music video of the song Glósóli from a favorite Icelandic band of my Sigur Rós. I have to thank SoulPancake for introducing me to the piece.
I think this video is representative of how music can transcend language or culture, as well as how music and film as well as the arts in general touch the heart and the spirit. I think this quote captures it:
Although sound is but the vibrations of the air which affect the tympanum of the ear, and vibrations of the air are but an accident upon accidents that depend upon the air, consider how much marvelous notes or a charming song influence the spirits! A wonderful song giveth wings to the spirit and filleth the heart with exaltation… ~
There are some beautiful themes in this video such as innocence, hope, longing, cooperation, and transcendence. See if you can spot them 🙂
The Visitor — Unity amid Diversity
Film:
The Visitor, 2007
Starring Richard Jenkins, Haaz Sleiman, Danai Jekesai Gurira, and Hiam Abbass.
Synopsis (from NetFlix):
Widowed professor Walter Vale (Richard Jenkins, in an Oscar-nominated role) discovers an immigrant couple, Tarek (Haaz Sleiman) and Zainab (Danai Gurira), squatting in his Manhattan flat and becomes wrapped up in their lives when Tarek is thrown into a detention center. A wonderful Hiam Abbass co-stars as Tarek’s mother, who forges an unlikely connection with Walter. Director Thomas McCarthy’s indie drama was nominated for three Independent Spirit Awards.
My Thoughts (warning… after paragraph one there be spoilers):
First of all, wow. When I finished watching this movie I wanted to run and hug every member of my family. Unfortunately nobody was home. This movie does not sugar coat. I would still call it a “feel good” movie, despite it’s painfully realistic ending, and highly recommend it to all who have not seen it. It is an example of when art can transcend and speak to the soul, at least for me. And with that, onto the content and discussion.
The film opens with scenes from Walter’s (Richard Jenkins) life. It becomes pretty clear early on that he is a sad and isolated person, a widower who has not gotten over his wife’s death and has been living much of his life on auto-pilot. I think this can happen to a lot of us, especially in grief. Depression runs rampant in America as we all struggle to connect, to find our place and purpose in life. It can be overwhelming to feel so alone.
He strives to learn the piano, which we discover later was his late wife’s instrument. Music is his way of reaching out and trying to stay connected, and when he fails to perfect the piano his hope seems lost. People often talk about the power of music, and it is true that it can uplift us.
We, verily, have made music as a ladder for your souls, a means whereby they may be lifted up unto the realm on high… ~
It is not for him to pride himself who loveth his own country, but rather for him who loveth the whole world. The earth is but one country, and mankind its citizens. ~
Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.
In this modern world, with global travel and the internet, everyone has become our neighbors. We may not be able to solve the large problems, after all the security became tight in response to terrorism, but we can work on the small ones. Tarik did by helping Walter through a difficult time, and through showing love and compassion. Walter did the same by trying his best to support Tarik, even if all he could do was visit.
There are small things we can all do, whether it is visiting a neighbor, or trying to learn more about other cultures and peoples, that can help the world through this time of transition. We are no longer tribes, or even countries, but the world as one, and this film tried to wrestle with a topic we are all wrestling with in one way or another.
Your thoughts?
Moving Pictures 