Forgiveness With or Without Forgetfulness—Two Recent Films About Far-Flung Topics Address Surprisingly Similar Themes
SteveMNYC
In the past two weeks I have seen two different indie films that address similar issues from vastly different angles.
“Forgive and forget” is the message of Todd Solondz’s film Life During Wartime. Or perhaps it’s more about whether it’s possible to forgive and forget. The “wartime” in Solondz’s film refers to a number of things—in particular, to the battles and battle scars created by family dysfunction. The father in the film has served time in jail and is released and looking to reconnect with his family.
Arts Engine’s most recent Big Mouth film, Pushing The Elephant, deals with similar themes. It tells the story of Rose Mapendo, a Congolese refugee whose husband was murdered (by their neighbors who were from a different tribe) and who spent time in a jail (death camp) with her children. The film shows Rose’s reunion with her daughter Nangabire, and explains Rose’s development into a leader who advocates for forgiveness and understanding. In Life During Wartime, a child tells people it’s important to forgive and forget.
In Pushing the Elephant a mother is spreading the message to forgive and understand (perhaps without ever really forgetting). The important thing is the message of both films: without forgiveness it is difficult to find personal peace and move on.
Whether one needs to forgive one’s enemies (like in the Congo) or one’s family (like in Solondz’s film), the way to survive “wartime” is through the ability to forgive and move on.
