Divided We Fall

Movie: Divided We Fall
Year: 2000
Actors: Bolek Polivka, Csongor Kassai, Jaroslav Dusek
Genre: Drama/Comedy
Rating: 7/10
Quote: "If I had to choose between betraying my country and betraying my friend, I hope I should have the guts to betray my country."- E.M Forster



Nominated for best foreign film in 2000, Divided We Fall is a memorable tale of friendship withstanding the test of time. Set in Nazi occupied Czechoslovakia, the movie tells the story of a couple who decide to hide a Jewish man in their house during the war. The Jewish man named David, (Csongor Kassai) is the son of a very reputable family that lived in the city prior to being deported to Poland by their Nazi occupiers.

Josef (Bolek Polivka) and Maria (Anna Siskova) are very loyal to David and will do anything to protect him. Josef is also very close friends with Horst, (Jaroslav Dusek) a villager who assists the Nazis in discovering Jews throughout the city. As you can imagine, the movie is fraught with tension and there are many moments where you believe that David will be discovered.



The movie also has an element of humor threaded throughout the storyline. The musical director inserted many old time jazz hits and many of the conversations between villagers were very comical. It was as if the director was explaining that during times of extreme difficulty it is necessary to laugh at times. If not, one would slowly fade away.



I enjoyed this movie because the actors did not seem to be acting. It was if they had always lived in the village and that they were in fact enduring the stress of living during the war as well as enjoying the small moments of pleasure that came their way. There is no epic moment in the movie that defines the story - it simply showcases the endurance and patience of David, Horst, Josef and Maria.



At the end of the movie, both David and Horst need the help of Bolek in order to survive the war. Without true friendship, these opposing men would have died. But through the genuine characters of Bolek and Maria, they realize that they are in fact equals. Divided, the small village would have succumbed to the influence of the Nazis. United, they are able to survive the hardships of World War II


I have posted below a few titles of movies and books that are related to this theme and are set in the context of World War II.

The Book Thief (book)
Flame and Citron (movie)
Swing Kids (movie)
The Pianist (movie)

Blood Diamond

Movie: Blood Diamond
Year: 2006
Actors:Leonardo DiCaprio, Djimon Hounsou, Jennifer Connelly
Genre: Action/Drama
Rating: 7.5/10
Quote: "Who do you think buys the stones I bring out, dreamy American girls who want a story book wedding and a big shiny rock. It's like the ones they see in the advertisements in your politically correct magazines, so please, don't come here and make judgements on me, alright. I provide a service, the world wants what we have, and they want it cheap. We're in business together, get over yourself, darling." (Danny Archer)

I had carefully avoided choosing this movie from the library as I was not sure I could handle the intensity and violence that comes with stories about war torn Africa. My husband finally managed to convince me to try it out.

The main character, Danny Archer (Leonardo Dicaprio) is a diamond smuggler who must decide to use a complete stranger for his own gain or assist the man (Djimon Hounsou) in finding his family after the RUF tears his family apart and force him to work in the diamond mines.

I found the movie difficult to watch as the director did not try to soften the atrocities that took place during the civil war in Sierra Leone. I often feel guilty as I watch movies that depict very sad parts of recent human history. Here I am in my North American living room eating chips while watching child soldiers shoot innocent women and children.

However, the movie did not just depict violent act after violent act, it also challenged the viewer ethically. Do we carry on with our lives in order to make a living or do we try to stop the corruption that is so rampant in many parts of the world? When we see a beautiful diamond in a glass case we often don't think about the illegal diamond mines in Africa. Blood Diamond challenged the viewer to be more aware of the current events that are occurring in the world. We are the consumers and we often dictate what happens in many impoverished part of the world.

The Kimberley process, established in 2003 "is a joint government, industry and civil society initiative to stem the flow of conflict diamonds – rough diamonds used by rebel movements to finance wars against legitimate governments."(1) This has discouraged the illegal purchase of conflict diamonds but they still manage to trickle through to the diamond industry. As a consumer we can make a difference by choosing to purchase diamonds from countries that offer sustainable working conditions for the employers that work in the diamond mines.

Blood Diamond is an excellent movie to watch if you are willing to be challenged as well as inspired by what a few people can do in order to promote peace and justice. I have posted a link of a company that promotes conflict free diamonds http://www.brilliantearth.com

Quotes
1. http://www.kimberleyprocess.com