Monday, March 12, 2007
Blood Diamond VS Letters from Iwo Jima
last week, i watched two very thought-provoking and brilliantly directed shows. The first was letters from Iwo Jima, one of the most neutral war films i've ever watched. Thumbs Up to Eastwood! i felt that the show really showed how Japan lost the war in the Pacific in the end- all the kamikaze and suicidal killings, gross as they were, it reflected the attitudes of the japanese soldiers. What is an honourable death? I think this truly reflects our spiritual walk with God in some ways as well.
What i've learnt from Saigo and the General:
- Saigo represents myself sometimes. harbouring alot of fear and uncertainty in his life, just like my walk with God. When i am challenged to do something, i don't think that optimism will always be my first thought.
- The General Always saves Saigo during the most critical moments. Situations where he could lose his life, the General was always there to intercede for him.
- the General reminds me of the Lord's mercy and everlasting love that he showers upon us.
- A statement that the General said was stunning " everything happens in threes"- just like how we see the Trinity huh? The Father, the Son and The Holy Spirit.
- the death of the General and the sight of his gun in the hands of the Americans spurred Saigo to fight back- At last!
- Are we convicted of the love and the fact that Christ died for us? Are we willing to fight back looking at how much the "General" has sacrificed for us?
Blood Diamond was another saddening story, taking place during the Sierra Leonne Civil war. There were many brutal facts of reality which made me feel so thankful that I'm born in Singapore and not Africa. If you ever watch that show, you'll really think twice about getting a huge diamond ring for Tiffany's. Haha. But more than anything, i learnt to be so much more thankful after watching this show.
- TIA- This Is Africa. A term used by the people of Sierra Leone. Definitely not a term filled with positivity, but rather a derogatory term.
- DIA- Solomon's son. After losing his father, Dia was caught by the rebels and indoctrinated to become a child soldier. If you ever have time, do google 'child soldiers' and you will realise that there are still a large group of them in Africa.
- Most strikingly, DIA sounds like TIA. This semblance of sound seems to encompass the fact that DIA's life is woven around the things happening in TIA. In the show, Solomon hoped that one day, DIA would become a doctor; a person who could save lives and break out of the cycle of poverty. Depending on DIA's own strength is not enough to lead the family to a better life. Such dreams will always remain as dreams.
- Blood Diamond- The rare pink diamond that everyone is fighting for. Solomon hides it because he knows that with this diamond, he can get his family out of Africa. The rebel commander wanted to find that diamond too, because just like anyone else, he wants a life out of Africa. Same goes with Leonardo Dicaprio.
- Maddy Bowen- a respectable journalist. When asked if the people in her country would do anything when they see the cruel footages of the killings, she replied "no". Sounds familiar. Exactly what was asserted in Hotel Rwanda-the civil war between the Tutsis and the Hutus in Rwanda.
- People may see her as someone who wants to save the world, an idealist that will definitely fall short of her high expectations in the end. but you see that her character is strong, it is determined and definitely compassionate. She wants to write the real facts and let people know that it is a civil war fuelled by the desires of the First World Countries.
- I'm thankful that i do not need to live in a country bound by civil wars and poverty. A country where hope is thin and there by your own merits, you might not be able to carve a niche too.
- Always thankful- always thankful- always thankful- always thankful- always thankful! :)
TURN YOUR EYES UPON JESUS
10:21 PM
last week, i watched two very thought-provoking and brilliantly directed shows. The first was letters from Iwo Jima, one of the most neutral war films i've ever watched. Thumbs Up to Eastwood! i felt that the show really showed how Japan lost the war in the Pacific in the end- all the kamikaze and suicidal killings, gross as they were, it reflected the attitudes of the japanese soldiers. What is an honourable death? I think this truly reflects our spiritual walk with God in some ways as well.
