4 Films
4 Films to Help You Through Social Distancing
Since most of us are staying home to avoid spreading illness, it's a good time to share a few inspirational movies that you might have missed. These are NOT necessarily family movies, although we did watch them together. Just keep in mind, we tend to let Trooper watch and read things other parents wouldn't, and we always discuss during and after. Be sure to read ratings before you decide who will watch.
1. Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom. As I understand it, this movie is a good depiction of Nelson Mandela's amazing life. It's hard to watch something like this and still feel sorry for oneself, rather, you may be inspired to take the high road, to insist on forgiveness and honor from yourself and everyone. Be warned, this doesn't shy away from the horrors of apartheid, or from Mandela's own flaws. This is good, because not only is it honest, but it provides the avenue for growth and greatness.
2. Invictus . After watching Mandela together, we absolutely had to re-watch Invictus. Although I am not a sports fan, this is one of my top five movies of all time. Invictus continues the story of Mandela, but this time through the eyes of those he leads as president. His wisdom, compassion, and genuine love for the individual bring people together as no law ever could. This was a man who believed everyone had value, that everyone was worth looking in the eye, regardless of popular opinion. As a bonus, I'll share one of the songs, Shosholoza, at the end of this post.
3. Won't You Be My Neighbor? This documentary on the life and work of Fred Rogers held me enthralled throughout and left me with the conviction that not only should I see the value (not potential, but current) in every person, but that, with practice, I can. There's nothing like a true story of a person utterly committed to helping others see their own worth and value, a person so powerfully humble that he's not afraid to show weakness. Most of us find that terrifying.
4. A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood . After seeing Won't You Be My Neighbor, I was eager to follow up with Beautiful Day. While this movie is less dedicated to keeping facts in their proper name and order, it does recount true events, and it does adhere to the real Mr. Rogers. I've yet to meet a person so absolutely unpretentious, so genuinely in tune with the hearts of humans. I want to be like him when I grow up. Simply put, it's beautiful.
Mr. Rogers and Mandela came from backgrounds as different as backgrounds can be. Mandela grew up as the underdog in an oppressive, racist society, struggling against culture to become one of very few black attorneys in South Africa, and then spending the better part of thirty years in prison for trying to change it. Mr. Rogers was the only son of well-to-do white parents, living in privilege from birth. Two men so different, yet they shared some vital characteristics. If they can change the world for the better, why can't I?
If you're not quite ready to be inspired, yet, listen to this beautiful song, Shosholoza. It will help :).
Since most of us are staying home to avoid spreading illness, it's a good time to share a few inspirational movies that you might have missed. These are NOT necessarily family movies, although we did watch them together. Just keep in mind, we tend to let Trooper watch and read things other parents wouldn't, and we always discuss during and after. Be sure to read ratings before you decide who will watch.
1. Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom. As I understand it, this movie is a good depiction of Nelson Mandela's amazing life. It's hard to watch something like this and still feel sorry for oneself, rather, you may be inspired to take the high road, to insist on forgiveness and honor from yourself and everyone. Be warned, this doesn't shy away from the horrors of apartheid, or from Mandela's own flaws. This is good, because not only is it honest, but it provides the avenue for growth and greatness.
2. Invictus . After watching Mandela together, we absolutely had to re-watch Invictus. Although I am not a sports fan, this is one of my top five movies of all time. Invictus continues the story of Mandela, but this time through the eyes of those he leads as president. His wisdom, compassion, and genuine love for the individual bring people together as no law ever could. This was a man who believed everyone had value, that everyone was worth looking in the eye, regardless of popular opinion. As a bonus, I'll share one of the songs, Shosholoza, at the end of this post.
3. Won't You Be My Neighbor? This documentary on the life and work of Fred Rogers held me enthralled throughout and left me with the conviction that not only should I see the value (not potential, but current) in every person, but that, with practice, I can. There's nothing like a true story of a person utterly committed to helping others see their own worth and value, a person so powerfully humble that he's not afraid to show weakness. Most of us find that terrifying.
4. A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood . After seeing Won't You Be My Neighbor, I was eager to follow up with Beautiful Day. While this movie is less dedicated to keeping facts in their proper name and order, it does recount true events, and it does adhere to the real Mr. Rogers. I've yet to meet a person so absolutely unpretentious, so genuinely in tune with the hearts of humans. I want to be like him when I grow up. Simply put, it's beautiful.
Mr. Rogers and Mandela came from backgrounds as different as backgrounds can be. Mandela grew up as the underdog in an oppressive, racist society, struggling against culture to become one of very few black attorneys in South Africa, and then spending the better part of thirty years in prison for trying to change it. Mr. Rogers was the only son of well-to-do white parents, living in privilege from birth. Two men so different, yet they shared some vital characteristics. If they can change the world for the better, why can't I?
If you're not quite ready to be inspired, yet, listen to this beautiful song, Shosholoza. It will help :).
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