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As many of us enter exam season this month, we thought some inspiration around the meaning and purpose of life was much needed (or maybe just some reassurance that there are more important things in life than work). 'Life' is what defines us, but it can also be the cause of all questioning, heartbreak and destruction. This month, we wanted to gain a new perspective on what 'life' really means to us. So, open your eyes, open your hearts and see...I'm just a poor boy, I need no sympathy...
How would you define your life?
Is death absolute?
What does it mean to be truly living?
Should euthanasia be legal?
What role should life and mortality have in the justice system?
-- FILMS OF THE MONTH --
'Vanilla Sky' (2001) dir. Cameron Crowe
(Teresa LOURENCO DE ALMEIDA LUCAS SERRA)
“I'll tell you in another life, when we are both cats.”
“Even in the future, the sweet is never as sweet without the sour.”
Starring Tom Cruise as David Aames, ‘Vanilla Sky’ tells the story of how a wealthy, good looking chauvinistic man goes through the humbling experience of finding love. Unfortunately, this doesn’t last long as his face becomes disfigured after a car accident. This is just the beginning of David’s troubles as the lines between illusion and reality, between life and death, become blurred. This movie is a remake of the Spanish original “Open your Eyes”.
The reason why this movie stuck with me ever since I first watched it was due to its strong plot twist that, to be fully honest, I did not expect at all. When I first started watching it, I expected it to be a really light movie but by the end of it I was questioning my existence. The way alternate realities were incorporated in a seemingly mundane plot made it a truly memorable film.
In terms of aesthetic elements, I must highlight that the script was amazingly put together - this was what made the movie really enjoyable, especially since the plot is quite complicated. Another aspect that stood out to me was the cinematography, especially in the second half of the movie when the colours of the sky simulate the painting ‘Vanilla Sky’ by Monet.
When thinking of the theme ‘life’, this movie instantly popped up in my mind. While I do not want to spoil the plot of the movie, I'd still like to express that it explores the concept of afterlife with a lot of dept. The truth is, although we might speculate, we don’t know what comes after life - this is our curse as the human race. In a captivating way, ‘Vanilla Sky’ paints a scenario unveiling what could possibly be - what awaits us in a dystopian afterlife.
'The Best Marigold Hotel' (2011) dir. John Madden
(Ollie ELLARD)
'The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel' follows a group of British retirees who have all ended up living in the same hotel in India. Based of the book 'These Foolish Things' by Deborah Moggach, we follow the group who have been lured to the Marigold by grand advertisements (and a small price tag), however when they arrive the hotel it is a shadow of what it once was. As the movie unfolds, we watch each member of the group grow and leave behind their former lives to find new love and experience new things. I feel like this movie fits the theme of this month life because it sends a message about doing all the things in life you want to do and not living with regret and lack of fulfilment.
Not only does this movie have a heartwarming message, but the stellar cast (Maggie Smith, Judi Dench, Bill Nighy etc) deliver performances that are so naturalistic and real that you forget you are watching non-fiction. Director John Madden also manages to dodge the Hollywood meets India trope - instead the screenplay focuses much more on the human interactions between characters not interaction with the setting. This movie does not focus on creation of life but on encouraging the audience to live the life you have to the fullest, which is why I think it is perfect for this month's theme.
'The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel', is a now a staple British RomCom for me and is easily in my top movies of all time list. Other movies that I would recommend for this months theme is 'Juno', 'The Lady in the Van' and (of course) 'The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel'. I hope these films might inspire your writings for this month and help you learn more about how to live life and how to value the things that happen in life.
-- SONGS OF THE MONTH --
*click for links
(Lorelei CAIRNS)
This month’s playlist explores the theme of life. Some artists explore this theme by examining aspects of the shared human experience in their songs. In songs like ‘Wish You Were Here’, ‘Us’, and ‘Heart of Gold’, artists reflect on universally understood emotions and situations; heartbreak, joy, loneliness and everything in between. In doing this, these artists encourage us to find new ways to appreciate the beautiful moments in life, and let us know that we are not alone in the bad ones. Other artists instead encourage us to view life with a totally fresh perspective. In songs like ‘Bittersweet Symphony’, ‘This is the Day’, and ‘Once in a Lifetime’, artists urge us to approach life with enthusiasm, to defy convention, and to march to the beat of our own drum. By approaching the theme of life in these different ways, the artists of this playlist present us with points of view on life that are new and transformative, but also deeply familiar and accessible.
-- BOOK OF THE MONTH --
(Hila DAVIES)
‘More Than This’ follows the story of a teenage boy who mysteriously wakes up in what he believes to be the ‘after life’. As he tries to discover where he has ended up or what his purpose there is, Ness sheds light on questions around mortality, isolation and what it really means to be 'living' when the ‘after life’ is humanity’s greatest unknown. An excuse for an existential crisis, ‘More Than This’ will give you goosebumps as you realise the striking similarities between Ness’ dystopian world and our own. Perfectly encompassing the ups and downs of everyday life whilst simultaneously exposing his readers to the fear and power of oblivion, Patrick Ness provides a ground-breaking commentary on what it means to be alive that will, quite literally, blow your mind. For isn’t there always more than this?
*read more about it here
So on this April Fool's afternoon, always remember to be afraid, never hope and start each day with frown - what would life be without those perfect gloomy days?
Want to suggest an inspo topic? Have questions about the website? Contact us via Instagram (@dontbeafraid.uwc)