There are many on my "must-see" list this year, including the lauded "Brokeback Mountain" (where we were lucky enough to be one of a few hundred people who will watch the first screening of this movie on the 16th January - the tickets were sold out within the first 24 hours the email invitation was sent), Munich, Capote, Syriana, Walk The Line, TransAmerica etc.
The first two wonderful movies that we watched in our "movie season" that I would like to recommend to everyone are "Good Night, And Good Luck" and "Joyeux Noël". Printed on the posters of both movies are the courageous anthems of the movie which resonate today, more so than ever.
For "Good Night, and Good Luck", the caption reads "We will not walk in fear of one another". Directed, co-written and co-acted by George Clooney, it is historical snapshot of a time in the 50s, where Americans were brainwashed by Senator Joseph McCarthy and the House Un-American Activities Committee preached about the "dangers of communism" and how if one sympathises or questions any doubt against the Communist, then they too must be communists.
It is uncanny where we can be arrested today if we are suspected to have any links with any person suspected of terrorism. To show any sympathy for anyone who would dare to question or think differently would be considered unpatriotic ... and that, is the danger of conformity. Coming from a country that thrives on conformity, I can understand the peace that it brings, but at the same time, there is life lost in not allowing ourselves to be able to take a stand on any issue we believe in. To be forced silent and to accept, regardless of our beliefs, is not a facet of life that we should be content with.
This movie offers a historical but balanced view on that moment in time when a group of journalists (a wonderful cast including Clooney himself), led by newman Edward R. Murrow (played brilliantly by David Strathairn), dared to stand up and challenge them. They set out to expose the lies and the communist "witch hunts" that were conducted and put their careers and possibly lives at risk by doing so. They defied corporation and sponsorship pressures that they drop the controversial topic, and even offered to go ahead on their own budgets so that they could do what they believed in ... honest journalism.
George Clooney has resisted the temptation to create another "Fahrenheit 911", which was sensational but viewed by many as propaganda. Clooney presented it just as it was ... an honest historic snapshot and even refused to portray McCarthy's real life alcoholism in the movie. He used actual interviews and speeches of McCarthy and though we never get a full impression of what McCarthy was really like, we didn't need it to know that what he did was despicable.
As I was watching this movie, I kept missing parts of it because my mind kept drawing parallels with our world today and how I was hoping that the journalists of today, we only need one, would have the guts like Edward Morrow to stand up and tell the truth. I am doing my part here by recommending this movie strongly to everyone to watch it and tell ourselves, we will not walk in fear of one another. It is alright and acceptable, or even good to question, and it is only then that we live our lives fully, not having conformed to anything that we do not believe in.
On a lighter note is "
Having served compulsory National Army Service for two and a half years, I totally empathise with the soldiers ... their loneliness, longing and fear, which is one of the few times it has been captured in war movies. Instead of bloody scenes of killing (which are usually splattered in war movies), we are treated to an unusual mix of music, friendships, love and connection between strangers, and I am not talking about between the soldiers of the same battalion, but of opposing sides. We have to realize that our "enemies" are just like us, in spite of our differences, be it colour, sex, nationality ...
Just like the racial riots that happened on the Sydney beaches during December, they need to realise that ultimately, their "enemy" is also made of the same human substance and have a family and someone to love and who loves them. What Australia has ended up asking after these riots is "Are we a racist country?" For me, the answer is "Everyone has their bad days, and it is more the lack of education than anything else. Just like the negative perception towards homosexuality. If they can see that we want the same things in life as they do, being accepted, being loved, loving someone, having a family etc, then maybe they can understand and empathise with us too.
There is always going to be bad blood within any community, and unfortunately, most of these usually end up representing leaders of fractions of the community. They do not represent the entire views of all Australians and many are disappointed and disgraced by the outbreaks. In conjunction with the earlier review, our leaders do not always represent our views. They are selected by the majority but that is probably where most similarities in viewpoint ends. We are all entitled to our opinions and they must be respected unless it is meant to hurt someone, like a racist insult, then we have to put a stop to it. If it is to say that all leaders represent the views of the entire nation, then we will be only robots, controlled by the "super-powers" at the top, never to realise the full potential and opportunities that life offers.
The other significant part of the movie for us is also how right winged Christians have hijacked the teachings of Christ and used it to their advantage. In the movie, they are taught that they will only be God's child if they kill all Germans, good or bad ones. It is really sad because John, Anne (who watched the movie with us and is Catholic) and I believe that they have tarnished the image of Jesus, who I believe preached of love, not hatred.
The caption on this movie reads "Without An Enemy There Can Be No War", and this is a powerful message to remember. If we do not classify someone as an enemy, then love can grow ...
Rating:
Good Night, and Good Luck : 9.5/10
4 Golden Globe Nominations: Best Picture (Drama), Best Director (George Clooney), Best Actor and Best Screenplay
Review from Rotten Tomato
Joyeux Noël : 8.5/10
Golden Globe Nomination: Best Foreign Picture
Review from Rotten Tomato
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