3 Movies That Will Change How You See The World
Who doesn’t love a day at the movies with a friend and some popcorn? Movies have a way of stirring us emotionally through their storylines, soundtracks and characters. But have you ever wondered why some move us and stay longer with us than others?
Movies have a way of inspiring us, because they illustrate something we all experience as human beings. There are some movies that become worldwide phenomena, such as The Lord of the Rings or Star Wars. This is because they are epic stories of journeys and heroes, and they reflect timeless universal values, such as family, freedom and goodness. We want our lives to be epic and we can experience that through movies.
We shared some books that reflect Divine Principle values. Now we want to share some of our favorite movies. In our list, each character goes through trial and self-doubt, but manages to pull through and show the indomitable nature of the human spirit.
Whale Rider (2002)Based on a novel of the same name, the film is about Paikea, a twelve year-old girl who is next in a long line of Maori chiefs. However, her grandfather is convinced that only a boy can take this role. Paika undergoes great difficulty to prove to her grandfather and tribe that she is able to rise to the challenge of being a leader. The film addresses tradition and the ever precarious balance between doing what you believe is right and fulfilling your family’s expectations. Most of all, beyond obligations or disappointment, it shows that family is the most important thing.Even though our family might not always be perfect, it is where we learn how to love and then expand that love later in life. Father Moon, founder of the Unification faith, says, “Where does the heavenly kingdom start? It starts in the family. It does not unfold from somewhere else. The heavenly kingdom is just a three-dimensional expansion of the family. It is not something that is outside of the family. The family is the place where you substantiate your love for humankind through action.”The film garnered an Oscar nomination for the leading actress when she was only thirteen years-old. It also presents beautiful New Zealand landscapes and, of course, whales.
Amazing Grace (2006)This is a biopic about William Wilberforce and his lengthy fight to outlaw slavery in the British Parliament in the early 1800s, which is linked to the famous hymn in the film. Wilberforce contemplates leaving politics to study theology, but those close to him convince him that he can serve God best in his battle against slavery. Wilberforce’s struggle and sacrifice shows that staying true to God’s calling and following one’s conscience is crucial even if it goes against an entire cultural or national paradigm.Wilberforce’s cause is to create freedom and bring out people’s inherent value. The Divine Principle says, “Every person possesses equal value, but that does not do justice to his true worth. From the vertical perspective of Heaven, each individual possesses the loftiest cosmic value.” In the Bible, the First Commandment is to “Love your God with all your heart, all your mind, and all your soul.” The Second is to “Love your neighbor as yourself.”Wilberforce tries to do just this. This is a beautiful and moving historical film that shows the universal theme that the human spirit can overcome even in extreme circumstances.
The Matrix (1999)Here’s a classic that you must have seen! It portrays a figure called to a mission that at first seems overwhelming and impossible to accomplish. Neo must overcome his doubts and weakness to rise to the role of a savior of humankind from the machines.Neo must first master his mind and body before he can dominate the Matrix and help others do the same. The Divine Principle says, “People are composed of an internal aspect and an external one, the mind and the body, respectively. When the body acts according to the will of the mind, and the mind and body thus respond to each other in harmony, giving and receiving, the individual will live a purposeful life. Such a person will attract like-minded people.”
Check out these movies and even if you have already, try watching them from this different perspective!