We were young, we were reckless, arrogant, silly, headstrong - and we were right.
- Abbie Hoffman
Gabriele Muccino’s film, “But Forever in my Mind”, can, at first glance, seem unimportant; simply another teenage melodrama about the difficult transition between childhood and adulthood. However, the film has the capacity of bluntly capturing the most delicious and painful moment of life. That moment when we are not sure of what we want out of life; that moment when everything seems like the most important thing that has ever happened to us; that moment when a yes can mean the salvation of mankind and a no the apocalypse, the end of the world.
The film’s details become irrelevant and develop into a backdrop of a more important discussion present since the beginning of time. The fact that the main characters are more interested in their love lives and not with their occupation of the school and the possible student movement against the injustices of the world is an obvious commentary on the reality of today’s youth. Today’s youth can’t seem to find real ideals to fight for. It bases itself on the copies of what has already been done. Everything has already been done; everything has already been said. Why, then, fight if the battle has already been fought, good has failed and everything remained the same as before?
Every generation wants to change the world. But changing it is not easy. Every generation looks for its leader so that they can be an example and can guide them in the fight for the victory of their ideals. But in order to be a leader one has to dare to say something different and the hardest part is finding something different to say that hasn’t already been said.
Why could only past generations construct history with their battles? As the film says, “we don’t have Reagan’s missiles to fight against anymore”. Are there still ideals to fight for? Have the ideals for which our parents and grandparents fought survived to this day? Will today’s fight be seen with similar eyes by future generations? Will we believe tomorrow that today’s battle was foolish? Will everything end up being forgotten after we die and have it been as if we hadn’t lived at all? Can only art be immortal? Only time will tell.
- Gabriela Becker
- Abbie Hoffman
Gabriele Muccino’s film, “But Forever in my Mind”, can, at first glance, seem unimportant; simply another teenage melodrama about the difficult transition between childhood and adulthood. However, the film has the capacity of bluntly capturing the most delicious and painful moment of life. That moment when we are not sure of what we want out of life; that moment when everything seems like the most important thing that has ever happened to us; that moment when a yes can mean the salvation of mankind and a no the apocalypse, the end of the world.
The film’s details become irrelevant and develop into a backdrop of a more important discussion present since the beginning of time. The fact that the main characters are more interested in their love lives and not with their occupation of the school and the possible student movement against the injustices of the world is an obvious commentary on the reality of today’s youth. Today’s youth can’t seem to find real ideals to fight for. It bases itself on the copies of what has already been done. Everything has already been done; everything has already been said. Why, then, fight if the battle has already been fought, good has failed and everything remained the same as before?
Every generation wants to change the world. But changing it is not easy. Every generation looks for its leader so that they can be an example and can guide them in the fight for the victory of their ideals. But in order to be a leader one has to dare to say something different and the hardest part is finding something different to say that hasn’t already been said.
Why could only past generations construct history with their battles? As the film says, “we don’t have Reagan’s missiles to fight against anymore”. Are there still ideals to fight for? Have the ideals for which our parents and grandparents fought survived to this day? Will today’s fight be seen with similar eyes by future generations? Will we believe tomorrow that today’s battle was foolish? Will everything end up being forgotten after we die and have it been as if we hadn’t lived at all? Can only art be immortal? Only time will tell.
- Gabriela Becker
4 comentários:
We were young, we were reckless, arrogant, silly, headstrong - and we were right.
- Abbie Hoffman
(!) ;]
Actually, I don't think it's a problem reserved for the young. The young aren't the only ones, after all, who are concerned only with that that affects them directly. I'd venture to say that most people, or at least, a lot of people, are like that. A lot of people never find something really worth fighting for. Some people never stop worrying about their love lives, but there's much more to be distracted with in life: taxes and getting paid, petty rivalries, social status, looking young, etc.
I don't think it's so much a problem of today's youth as it is a fact of human existence.
That having been said, history has always been the story of very few people. It doesn't take all that many people to change things, it just takes a couple of very loud people, or influential people, or better yet, both.
Besides, if everyone was a rebel, nobody would be a rebel.
What do you think?
"Will we believe tomorrow that today’s battle was foolish?"
Of course action should always (ideally) be as thought-through as possible, but of course you've got to think of the amount of time you have to make a decision too. Otherwise nobody would ever do anything, I guess. Besides, after you've committed to a course of action, you've got to accept that you may be wrong, it's just a consequence of being human. Even knowing you could be wrong, you've though about it, so you go through with it.
I forgot where I heard this, but I though it was good: "The only day you can't do anything is tomorrow and yesterday." Thought you might like that, if you haven't already heard it. ;)
Just curious, but have you seen Spring Awakening, the musical? Somebody gave me the music, and it made me think of you.
Also, on a random tangent: I love Rent, and for giving me the music, I thank you forever and ever amen :-)
Arty,
Seems like we could go on a day-long argument on this topic and many like it. Made me nostalgic of the old days during free period at the library when we would go on random tangents about things in life.
I agree with you that that problem isn't reserved just for the young. It just seems that when it comes to "changing paradigms of society" it's usually the young who take the first stand. That's why we always have student movements and such.
And I totally agree with, "It doesn't take all that many people to change things, it just takes a couple of very loud people, or influential people, or better yet, both."
We could go on and on. I miss these debates of ours! You always made me feel smarter... =]
And Rent rules all!!
Miss ya!
-Gabi
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