Schindler’s List by Steven Spielberg

This is both a compelling and cruel movie to watch. It depicts the truth of what lies in the past and the insanity of what people are willing to do in the mist of war; be it good or bad. This story is set on the days of World War 2 in the country of Germany where the heat of the action started. This story is about a person name Oskar Schindler whom is a german businessman trying to make money out of the war as a war profiteer.

The movie talks about the cruelty of the Nazi party in trying to build concentration camps and execute the Jewish people in this. Many were sent to the gas chambers or killed in the inferno during this period over 6 million killed as depicted at the end of the film. So the protagonist was a person of great heart where he sold most of his property to help liberate the Jews from the concentration camps by bribing the officials in the town. I was shocked and in awe that so many of Jewish people died during the war. This undeniably makes me to be relief to be living in this era of peace even though I am not a Jew

Gandhi by Richard Attenborough

                Personally, I am not a history person. When I learn that we will be watching this movie I was thinking this will be another boring show that might doze me off. However I was wrong. I actually like this movie despite there are moments that I feel like fast forward it. It depicted the life of Gandhi and his principal in aiding India to independent. Personally I appreciate Gandhi’s effort in running a non-violent campaign in both South Africa and India. People usually believed that those who are powerful will be able to control the others’. However, this is not necessary true. At least I don’t think it is. Taking revenge or beating people up might make them listen and obey you for a moment but it won’t last forever because violent is a form of impulsive behaviors. Hence, I think it is more important for one to calm them down and let people know they mean what they want.

                Besides, this movie reminds me of the psychological concepts I learnt in my social psychology and occupational psychology class. Before India obtain her independence, Muslims and Indians work together to protest and stand up to the British. However, once the decision of independence was made, the two ethnic groups form their own group and an in-group bias is observed.  The two ethnic groups started to bully people from their out-group and engaged in numerous violent acts. This irony does not happen only in the society but among the political leaders as well. Before the independence, all leaders can chat peacefully with each other. However, once the idea of independence is confirm, Jinnah the Muslim leader stand out to Gandhi and ask him regarding the division. I think it is very important for the leaders to sort the matter out themselves before they speak to the people. In this incident, Jinnah should sooth the Muslims down while he negotiates with the Gandhi and the other leader. Being as a political leader, one should always prioritize the welfare of his people be it Muslims or Indians as they are all part of India.

Departures by Yôjirô Takita

      I have to say this film makes me feel uneasy to watch yet satisfying in terms of emotions and sentimental values it portrayed. The director is intelligent to have put this film in a comical nature whereby they try to make instill values surrounding death to the general audience. He had put this film together beautifully as emotions technically surrounded the whole film.
      The film started off with the protagonist losing his job as a cellist because the orchestra got disbanded which showed sign of struggle with despairs in life. This soon followed his diligent effort in looking for jobs around his hometown sakata when he moved back. It brought back many memories of him from his childhood and the leaving of his father with the waitress. This showed a combination of hate and detest between father and soon. Soon follows the regrets of a son not taking care of his mother more before she passed away.
      Initially, he did not take fancy to the job he received because of the nature of the work and the inability to stand the reek of rotting bodies. This journey of his made me feel uneasy because of the nature of his work as well. I feel disgusted at it initially as the wife did and would not be able to tolerate him more and soon moved out the house. I actually understood the wife’s feeling and emotions because i also cannot tolerate the nature of his job if i were in her position. However, as the plot develops, I soon found the dignity in the job when he prepares his friend’s mother for burial which was quite unnerving yet graceful and pure. I truly don’t know the correct words to describe how the ritual affecting the way I viewed death.
      However, the most touching moment of the show was the climax where he was force to attend his own father’s funeral which he detest and doesn’t want to go initially. I understand his feelings then. Then, the most shocking part for me is when he found the stone in his father’s arm while preparing for a proper burial which was touching and loving at the same time. At the moment, I thought that family matters most and nothing even the shattering blow of death could keep families apart due to the memories we each keep inside ourselves. I truly understand the value of relationship and love through this movie.