Chariots of fire - Timeless

       Chariots of fire is a 1981 film based on a true story. It focuses on two individuals in particular; Eric Liddell (a devout Scottish Christian) & Harold Abrahams (a determined Jew). It depicts humans thrive and motivation towards attaining a goal, in this movie for instance it was winning a gold medal in the Olympics. Both of them had their very own reason for competing in it. Liddell; for God where as Abrahams; to overcome prejudice (as this was after World War 1 and the Jews we seen as a low class)


The themes around this film are about the Olympic spirit, God and class system regarding the races in the United Kingdom.

All in all from Abrahams view its about having a code of honour where as for Liddell it was to show that his religious belief transcend the notion of winning at all costs. Why this film was gripping was because it inspires people to strive for their dreams and never give up.

The underlying Theme therefore is Motivation 

There are 3 components of motivation

1.  Activation - A decision to follow through or initiate a behavior
 In the beginning of the film Liddell and Abrahams win races in their hometown and college, this was the beginning to their road towards success it was then that they were sure of joining they Olympics.

 
2. Persistence- striving towards a goal even though there are obstacles.
Liddell's biggest obstacle was his sister and his religion though he was running for God. He persevered through it, convinced himself he was doing it to proof a point about his religion and even managed to change his schedule in the Olympics just so he won't play on the Sabbath day (day of God).

Abrahams was not the fastest and so he hired a trainer to train him. It was not easy to get that particular trainer to train it but he did it. His strive for excellency was proof to everyone that they should not undermine his kind. 

 3. Intensity- The vigor that goes into pursuing a goal
Liddell delays his missionary work in China just show he could run and joins the Olympic. At one time he even missed the start of mass which made his sister really upset.

Abrahams put aside his girlfriend for awhile in order to make sure he got his head in the game. He also is seen arguing with his college counsel in order to pursue his running. 

Theories

1. Extrinsic and Intrinsic motivation
Extrinsic motivation can be seen mainly in Abrahams, Abrahams looking for social recognition and praise. He wants to show the word that even though he his a Jew, he is better than all of them or that he is capable. This is to overcome the prejudice and discrimination that individuals in England had regarding the Jews at that point of time.

 Intrinsic motivation on the other hand, can be seen in Liddell. Liddell wanted personal gratification,he did it for God to prove something to someone up above. He also wanted people to see that with God by his side he could do anything. He dedicated his win to his God as he ran with exuberance, anyone who saw him ran said he had something in him that they couldn't understand a very unique run like his doing it and giving his all for someone .

2. Drives and needs theory as well as Arousal theory can also be seen in various parts of this film.

3. The expansion of Malsow's Hierarchy of  Needs which included cognitive needs, aesthetic needs and transcendence needs.

Aesthetic need is the search for appreciation, form and balance.- This can be seen in the case of Abrahams mainly and Liddell too. Abrahams wants to be appreciated by the norm whereas Liddell says when he runs he feels God's presence (form & ballance).

Cognitive needs-  Knowledge & meaning- Both Liddell and Abrahams has a reason for competing; Liddell, knowledge of God he can instill in others and meaning of his life that he has dedicated to God. Abrahams, to show his knowledge and determination but after the win you could see he had loss his meaning for awhile, as he wasn't sure what to do next.

Transcendence need- Helping others to achieve self-actualizing tendency
A different character in the film shown this transcendence, Abrahams Coach; Sam Mussabini.
The overwhelm of joy and happiness that coach Mussabini shown was immeasurable he even looked more happier and excited than Abrahams himself. 

This movie was inspiring and different from our generation where our motivations aren't as intense. In this modern era, we start something and then we stop, we stop believing in ourselves as much as individuals from back then, as we have grown up with little or no adversity. This allows us to take life for granted, to many of us perseverance and patience is a trait that is difficult to find in us most of the time. I would say this movie is refreshing compared to other inspirational movies that I have seen. Greek composer Vangelis's deserved the Oscar as he achieved a kind of poetry rare in the world of the cinema.

Actual men: Eric Liddell & Harold Abrahams

 

Schindler's List - Beautifully haunting masterpiece

Schindler's List is a 1993 film based on a true story about the Jews during the Holocaust. This of-course was during Hitlers reign. Hitler was so against the Jews that he tried every way possible to get rid of them and remove them from the social class. This film focused on Polland during the holocaust as this was one of the earliest country where the Jews were discriminated, taunted and persecuted.

What caused these ill-treatment and the death of millions of Jews was because of the prejudice, discrimination, biases, hatred and aggression towards the Jews. It all ofcourse started with Hitler (this is not depicted in the movie). Hitler, was believed to hate the Jews for many reasons, one was that they were high up in the social status (threatening the jobs and position of the main origins of the land) and another was cause because of Germany's defeat in World War 1 (but we'll never know the what's true and not). This happen to lead him to think that all Jews were the same (prejudice) which lead him to discriminate them, viewing them as the out-group.

Hitler being powerful and respected at that time, influenced and had power over many of his followers such as the soldiers who served him. His false thinking was adopted by his followers. In which it caused hatred, aggression and biases  towards the Jews.

What theme surrounds this is the psychology of EVIL: the Lucifer Effect by Zimbardo
-  In the Milgram study,  subjects were either took the role  of Prison Guard or the Prisoner. What was observe that the prison guard took the role seriously after awhile they immerse themselves in it. unconditiona power was given to them and that power was abused. What this experiment depicts is that Power is in the system. Thus the system itself corrupts the individuals (political, cultural background, rules  & regulation etc). This is where the power is misused and is implemented and brought by bad-barrel makers.  To sum it up, evil is the exercise of power.
This especially can be seen when Goeth came to rule that area in Polland, he shot anyone he wanted to, implemented rules for his district and did whatever he deemed appropriate. He even did business on the side. German Soldiers and even most of the people disrespected the Jews, the were basically treated as dirt. These are the sins committed against humanity because responsibility was already taken by Hitler and power with no consequences were given to these soldiers.   

The Lucifer Effect in itself explains conformity, obedience and so on. How someone who could have the purest of heart could do evil acts. Stages that cause these innocent individuals to follow and carry out such action could be seen by seven social processes.
1. Taking the first small step without knowing so
2. Dehumanization of others
3. De-individuation of self
4. DIffusion of personal responsibility
5. Blind obedience to authority
6. Uncritical Conformity to group norms
7. Passive tolerance of evil deeds through inaction or inddifference

Lastly, the victims (Jews) mostly showed perserverence throughtout adversity. This can be seen in many scenes. For example, eventhough the Jews were going thorough alot and was placed in concentration camp, a couple was shown getting married and honoring Jewish custom of marital vows, they even appologize for not having a Rabbi conduct the ceremony. They also preservered by being indenial with the severity of the situation as can be seen when a Jewish lasy talks about the gas chambers and the rest says its imposible. Schindler aswell gave hope to a few of the Jewish community that many more wanted to work for him. The triumph of the human spirit is essential

I would like to end by pointing out a few sybolism of the view such the movie being in black and white, symbol of the girl in red and most importantly Schindler's list.

Film in Black & White: A that time color was already out but the director wanted it to be in black & white. One of ther reason is because it was very difficult to fully depict every detail of that time, so black and white was safer. It also sends a stronger message to the audience, allowing the audience to focus solely on the message it was trying to potray. Color might not have the intensity and depth the director wanted the audience to feel.

Girl in red: Sybolises the innocence of many being slaugthered. It also sybolises death. What I've found out as well is that it had a social significance where the red coat suggests the 'red flag'. This as when the Jews waved a red flage as a cry for help to the Allied powers but sadly that cry was not heard. This ignorance can be seen as the girl walks through it all ignoring her surroundings. This potrays the inaction of the Allies powers.

 Schindler's list: The Nazi's list represented evil and death and how the faith of the Jewish people depended on the list whereas Schindler's list depicted life and hope, that the Jews may live and that there is still faith in humanity.

Stern:   “The list is an absolute good. The list is life. All around its margins lies the gulf.”