At the begining of 2020, there were threats of the possibility of a Third World War, and while jokes and memes were made of this very grave and serious matter, as to how this younger generation seems to cope with problems and challenges. We seem to have forgotten the horrors that war brings.
Speaking of the younger generation-Did you know that in a recent Holocaust study, two-thirds of millennials don’t know what Auschwitz is? (article published by Julie Zauzmer, April 13, 2018) And that my friends is very alarming. How can we learn from the mistakes of the past, when we keep on forgetting the past?
And don’t get me started on re-writing history via troll armies. The fight to keep and maintain the truth of our history for future generations has indeed become a battle in itself. Parents, Teachers, educators don’t lose hope! Keep on fighting! Keep on inspiring! Hint – movies like the “1917” for your classes (and intense discussion after, maybe a short reaction paper/video/vlog) would be a good follow up.
Which is why I maintain that important period films like “1917” is something which our younger generation need to see. The years that have come to pass have not diminished their importance or relevance. To this day, there are still nations at war and as mentioned earlier we were this close to having a Third World War at the beginning of the year.
Inspired from stories that his grandfather told him, director Sam Mendes’ “1917” differs from other Great War movies because of the delicate details which are often left out in big production war movies, in favor of big explosions and edge of your seat action; oh, don’t worry my friend, there are those scenes in the movie too. The kind which will have you wrapped up in an anxious knot, praying and wishing our heroes make it.
These delicate details and moments of calm allow for the shock, anguish and trauma of war to sink in (and this is just from being an audience decades later, what more if you actually lived it?)
I cannot stress the importance of these films not only to a younger generation who are in danger of forgetting history and thus being apathetic to the plights of so many around the world but this is an important to us adults as well. As a reminder to also fight the battles which will keep tragedies like this from ever happening again because let’s face it, in war, there are no winners, we have all lost, it’s just a matter of how much.
1917 is an immersive journey of two soldier’s impossible mission, the cinematography and seamless one continuous shot (thanks to award winning cinematographer Roger Deakins) will keep you invested and glued to your seat.
I’ve focused on its importance not just as a beautiful film worthy of all its awards and accolades, that’s just the icing on the cake. We must also come to realize its importance in society and in keeping our children aware of our mistakes, so that they in turn may never have to live through the same ones.