One Life

anneethompson

February 12

(Spoiler Alert!)
We went to the cinema this week—I haven't been to the cinema with Husband for years. I had forgotten how chatty he is. Our local cinema is very nice, with fairly small theatres, and nice comfy chairs, and they offer a menu of food and drink, which they bring to the seat. I think perhaps it was too much like watching telly at home, because Husband gave me a running commentary on every advert (and there were lots) just like at home. Mainly he discussed how many adverts there were, and how misleading the 'start time' had been, and how he was ready to leave now, he'd watched enough. It was a lot like I had taken Meg with me (how did I manage to choose an antsy dog and an antsy husband? You would think I would learn!)

He ordered a coffee, which perhaps didn't calm him down, but did give him something else to talk about. It was, apparently, very good coffee, but probably not worth the price.

The film began, and the commentary next to me stopped (thankfully). The film is very well made, with actors who make you believe in them, and the story is wonderful—about an ordinary man who manages to import lots of Jewish children before the war begins.

I was struck by two things. Firstly, I hadn't realised what a complete cut-off the declaration of war was. I had assumed, because the Nazis were gradually moving across Europe, that travel between countries had gradually ceased. But it wasn't like that at all. Access to much of Europe, including Germany, was possible for normal people with a visa right up until war was declared—and then it all stopped instantly. Hence there were British people in places like Czechoslovakia right up until the day we declared war—and they then had to leave pretty fast before the borders closed.

The other thing that struck me, was that the hero of the film was just a normal man. He wasn't a great campaigner, not a particularly charismatic figure; he was just a banker. He was 'good with paperwork.' Yet his skills managed to save hundreds of children, because he was passionate about what he was doing. There is a lesson here. None of us can say there's nothing we can do, because we all have skills. Whether it's admin, or teaching, or baking cakes—I bet there's something you're good at. The challenge is how are you using it? Is there a way that your skill can help other people? Because surely, that is what life, real life, is all about.

Of course, there were lots of other 'heroes' in the film who hardly appeared. Some families took Jewish children, and cared for them for life. That takes some courage, a bit of risk-taking and a lot of stamina. They weren't part of the film though, they were barely mentioned. Sometimes the real heroes are the ones who we don't notice.

I definitely recommend you try to see One Life. But do try to go with someone quiet.

Thanks for reading. Have a good week, and take care.
Love, Anne x