Sometimes in life the flood of emotions that engulf you, leaves you speechless, however, there is this constant desire to express your feelings in words but there are no words. This is how I felt yesterday after embarking on watching the acclaimed film The Killing fields, the rollercoaster of emotions has left me without a beginning but nevertheless, I will try.
The movie focuses on the Cambodian war between the Khmer Rouge and the governing party, where almost 25% of the population died as a result(many bodies were placed in fields, hence the name “Killing fields”). The perspective the movie takes is of American born Sydney Schanberg who comes to report on the war and Dith Pran who is the Cambodian journalist who will act as Sydney’s guide and translator. The movie focuses on the brotherhood of these two men and how each has to overcome great struggles, especially Dith Pran.
As the movie brings us back to history, we can see the pain and suffering the Cambodian people faced, innocent lives lost because of political and power struggles between opposing groups. We also see how the truth is being watered down by the American government for the rest of the world public, and how Sydney and Dith Pran aims to reveal the unadulterated truth. Their efforts are successful as steady updates are sent to the leading newspaper, The New York Times.
The war is ruthless, young children screams echo throughout the turmoil, born into innocence and die guilty of existing in such a cruel world. At this moment in the movie, I pause to reflect, what is the value of human life? Is human life only valuable when you have money? God created man equal but in this sinful world, we are not at all equal. Our lives are basically like vapour snuffed out within a second and life goes on, never stopping to mourn the sadness of such a precious gift being lost.
As the movie continues, my emotions ride the roller coaster, as I cry when I see the Cambodians suffering, laugh as the relationship between Pran and Sydney strengthens and even when in dangerous situations Pran is able to rescue Sydney. There comes a point in the movie where Pran must decide whether to leave Cambodia with his family or stay with Sydney in Cambodia and continue reporting. He chooses to stay with Sydney as he feels his heart. Pran guides Sydney and the rest reporters through many dangerous situations.
This is the point my heart bellows with sorrow as Pran and Sydney must ultimately separate as efforts to create a new passport for Pran so that he can be evacuated with other foreigners has failed. Sydney returns to America, with the promise to take care of Pran's family, and Pran is eventually taken prisoner by the Khmer Rouge.
Pran becomes the central focus of the movie, the role of Pran played by the actor Dr. Haing S. Ngor (he won an Oscar for the best supporting actor) is beautifully displayed as he emotes the feelings of hunger, pain, and absolute suffering as he in the prison camp of the fighting factions. The factions train child soldiers who without conscience kill and illtreat the Cambodian adults because they have been taught to have no morals and no conscience. Pran uses his wit to survive, though sometimes his attempts to escape or get food sometimes fail, he eventually is befriended by his enemy. He sets out for sanctuary, to Thailand with the enemy’s son and a few others to make the journey. Some of the companions eventually go separate ways and unfortunately the child that he has cared for on the journey dies along the way with another companion from stepping on a mine. To see the tragedy of a child losing his life from a world he didn't even get to know about is disheartening.
Pran makes it to Thailand, after possibly years of suffering he is free and eventually celebrate his joys of freedom by being again reunited with Sydney and his family, Sydney asks for forgiveness as he felt he selfishly put the life of Pran in danger. It should be noted while Pran was missing, Sydney made every effort from his side to find him, but he had limited powers in what he could do. Pran replies that there is nothing to forgive and hugs his brother Sydney.
This movie has helped me to realise that people easily turn a blind eye to the suffering of others and are happy in their ignorance, not wanting to know the reality of the world. Not everyone is born on an even plain field. I feel that it is my duty to know more about this world, to travel, not only as a tourist but to know the history of past generations so that I can become a better human. A human that will show understanding for others and stand up against injustice, making a difference, no matter how small.
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