Do you take delight in watching films, listening to pop music, or reading books? For English learners, movies, songs, and books are one of the most wonderful sources to explore the language! You can indulge in your favorite pastime and still learn some expressions, words of wisdom, and oftentimes good lessons while you’re at it.
#86. Adú (film, 2020)
This film
follows the heartbreaking and perilous journey of Adú, a six-year-old African
boy living near a Spanish enclave in North Africa. Desperate for a chance at a
better life, Adú and his older sister, Alika, hide inside the cargo hold of an
airplane, risking everything for the hope of reaching Europe.
Interwoven
with their story are two other narratives connected by the shared themes of
survival, loss, and human compassion. Nearby, an environmental activist
struggles to protect endangered wildlife from poachers while trying to rebuild
his fractured relationship with his emotionally distant daughter, who has come
from Spain. Meanwhile, thousands of kilometers away in Melilla, Spanish coast
guards confront waves of desperate refugees attempting to cross the heavily
fortified border. Amid the chaos, one officer is haunted by guilt after
accidentally killing a refugee while trying to contain the violent surge at the
barbed-wire fence.
“The
wealth of the rich is their fortress; the poverty of the poor is their
ruin."
ð The
line is a biblical verse from Proverbs 10:15 in the Old Testament. In the film,
this opening sets the film's central theme of economic inequality, human
suffering, and the desperate pursuit of a better life. There are always people
who take cruel advantage of the poor and needy, and that is the way they make
their living.
(Massar
said to Adu out in the sea): “It’s very dark, Adú. You have to be strong. Don't
let go of the rope, and don't make a sound.”
ð As
they plan their perilous escape across the sea to Europe, Massar explains the
harsh reality to Adú. Promising to keep him safe, he vows to tow the young boy
through the dark, unforgiving waters on a pair of inner tubes. This line serves
as a powerful metaphor for the harsh reality of the migrant journey. It
underscores the constant threat of death, the desperate dependence on others
for survival, and the need for absolute silence to avoid detection by
authorities.
"Don't let go of the rope" refers not only to the physical lifeline migrants cling to while crossing dangerous waters or hiding in overcrowded vehicles, but also to their determination to survive and their refusal to let go of hope. In this scene, the pitch black-sea evokes the fear, uncertainty, and emotional isolation of the journey, especially through the eyes of a young child. However, Massar tries hard to give little Adú a warning and an encouragement in the face of overwhelming danger.
(dialogue
between Adu and Massar):
Adú:
"Are you going to die, too?"
Massar:
"No. I’m going to stay with you."
ð We
see the deep brotherly bond and survival pact between the two boys. As they
face life-threatening conditions, Massar steps up to become Adú's protector. Having
already witnessed horrific traumas, 6-year-old Adú is hyper-aware of the
mortality surrounding them. He is terrified of losing another loved one Adú. Massar
promises to stay with him, acting as a surrogate family and vowing to protect
the young child, even at the cost of his own safety.
Adú presents
one of the most unsettling and emotionally challenging portrayals of the global
refugee crisis. Throughout the film, I found myself caught between two
conflicting thoughts. On one hand, refugees deserve compassion, protection, and
the opportunity to rebuild their lives. On the other hand, large-scale
migration can create complex social, economic, and political challenges for the
countries that receive them. I remain undecided about where the balance should
lie. It is difficult to arrive at a simple conclusion without practical
solutions or thoughtful contingency plans. Yet one conviction stands above all
others: no one should lose their life at a border in search of safety.
Adú and
Massar begin their journey as complete strangers brought together by
circumstance. As they flee unimaginable danger, they become each other's
family. Their bond grows stronger with every hardship they endure, until it
seems they have no one left in the world but one another. In the face of fear,
hunger, and uncertainty, their togetherness becomes their greatest source of
strength, reminding us that human connection can flourish even in the darkest
of times.
I believe
that the impulse to help those in desperate need is deeply rooted in our
humanity. This is beautifully reflected in the moment when the guilt-ridden
coast guard rescues Adú and Massar from the sea. As he watches the two boys
embrace in tears, a warm smile spreads across his face—a quiet expression of
relief, redemption, and shared humanity. It is the kind of smile we all hope to
see on the faces of those who have endured unimaginable suffering.
No matter how divided we may be by borders, politics, or ideology, Adú reminds us that compassion should never disappear. Refugees are more than statistics or political debates; they are human beings seeking safety, dignity, and the chance to live. Even though a sweet life like the chocolate Adú and Massar shared through tears feels out of reach, the word “magic!” gives them hope and keeps them moving forward. While the answers to the refugee crisis remain complex as we speak, the film makes one truth unmistakably clear: our shared humanity should never be the first casualty of the conflict.
No comments:
Post a Comment