Movies

I just saw a foreign film that Vincent purchased called “Before the Rain” from the new Macedonia. It is political, religious and shows the effects of a divided people. There are some violent images which portray the ideas of tribalism and the effects of war. You would never believe that such acts could take place in such a pastoral & peaceful setting of a very small village that seems to have been lost in time. It is also hard to imagine how these 2 divided groups were once friends in the past, going to the same schools and then all of a sudden things have turned and people ban together to gain revenge and not really knowing the truth of the matter.

It makes you think about history and the events that spiralled when the Soviet Union crumbled. Is this what happens to society when there is no more leadership ?  People are not able to govern themselves & resort to becoming gangs & thugs illiciting their own desires of power ?  What about living in harmony. Being kind to your neighbors ?  Being kind to people & nature ?  Is their own religion so over-powering that they are not cognizant or respectful of another person’s religion that they can justify their own killing or “ethnic cleansing” ?

It is interesting to see the scene set in London . There are small pieces that tie this together with the events that happened in the first part.  You will find that the characters have a connection. The photographs are also related. There is a live turtle in the tank in the restaurant.  There is a man who gets into a fight with a waiter there, then returns shooting a gun at everyone in sight & for what purpose ?  To get revenge ?

It is hard to imagine how people can becoming so angry that they will resort to violence to make a point. This is senseless & barbaric. You tend to wonder if they really believe in what their religion preaches. Is it really justified that one person takes the life of another ?  Or these people truly believe that their religion is so superior that they must destroy any others that may exist or are a threat to their own livelihood ?  Then there are also the disturbing images of small children using weapons & holding fire arms.  The children grow up with all of the violence and fighting around them & then they somehow become oblivious to it.  This loss is such a tragedy.

There is an ongoing theme which is presented before us : “Time never dies ; The circle is not round”

There is talk of how “the rain is coming”.  You hear the thunder & see the dark clouds in the distance…  This is a foreshadowing of the events to come.

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