Always

Hollywood has been a great source of entertainment in the early decades of this century but all that remain is a big commercially driven enterprise bent on making sequels and remakes of old series and films. These new movies not only lack themes but lack all coherence or moral justification. Everything is either murder or sex. Nothing is original and everything is superficial. There is just no value placed for quality film making, directors all assume that movie goers are a bunch of morons who want nothing but bloodshed and body counts (well I’m sure there is a whole load of them that do, but equally there’s many who don’t).

Upon having watched a few movies recently, most notably Flight plan, I can’t help but realize the sheer stupidity that most Hollywood movies portray. There is certainly a great deal of shock value but arguably the entertainment or pleasure factor never stays. It is truly an ephemeral feeling. Nonetheless, I still have hope for decent film making in the future as I have witnessed much talent between up and coming directors; Directors who tackle the more pressing and modern issues, directors that push the ambits of ethics, directors that offer a perverse justification which while offends some people nonetheless is a logical solution and directors who defy pedantic and conform only to themselves.

Ultimately a movie is an artistic piece, an expression or impression of oneself within a subject matter. I go to the cinemas wanting to know the viewpoint of the people that make the film not societal justification. If I wanted societal justification, I can just as easily take a trip to the courts or to prison to see social sanctions at play.

Why do I talk about this today? Well, I have witnessed a very interesting piece of work from a Kyle Langenbach. He has assessed and given a truly introspective view on the subject of euthanasia. Being someone who just attended a 4-week program in film academy, he has an amazing view on things and the whole short was done brilliantly reflecting a moment contemplation, love, distress, anxiety and rationality. For those of you wanting to watch this, here’s a go:


Always


Upon watching it and synthesizing the values gained from the story and my own views, I cannot help but agree with the ethical premise surrounding this film. Many a times we are confined within our own interpretation of death and the narrow view taken by our religions. Death and life in itself is a subject matter so vast that it transcends anything any religion has to say about it. The fact that different religions have different interpretations of death just goes to show the extent and nebulousness of death.

Euthanasia (or mercy killing as it is sometimes known) is illegal in most countries but receives approval in Holland and a few other EU countries (in certain situations). What I wish to assess about is when someone is in a terminally ill position. Being unable to lead a qualitative life no more, I truly believe there is no harm in ending ones life. Being bed ridden or in a wheel chair void of all sensory, aural and visual perspective is no way to lead ones life. Why suffer in a way most derogatory knowing that you will never be able to do anything remotely similar to the things you used to do. Alternatively for those pulling the plug on behalf of a loved one, don’t consider it a violation of religious morality, consider it an act of love. An act of releasing your loved one from his misery, an act of nobility and solitude, an act of abnegating the cecity that shrouds God’s love from the eyes of your loved one.

In all honesty, I do believe that the medical care providers (hospitals & governments), the only reason they keep you alive on machines is for nothing more than attaining profit and funds from you. Do not prolong one’s misery when death is to be achieved. Why feed them food through tubes and store nutrients in cylinders. Release them from this vessel of earthly existence so that they may recuperate from the pain and travail they have endured thus far. Let them achieve that spiritual bliss which the Christian God speaks about. This is no murder, this is no travesty and this is certainly no wrong. As Langebach beautifully depicts, this a choice by a loved one done for a loved one derived solely out of love and done simply for love.

On a side note, Rama left yesterday evening; indeed it was a great meeting and a small food fest. Rashdan has got me a little present for Christmas, Radiohead’s Amnesiac which I shall be reviewing soon together with Mastodon’s Leviathan and Tankian’s Serart. I shall be setting my sights quite high for the New Year, a lot of new experiences to be received and a whole lot more perspectives to be achieved.