I recently watched a movie called Mr. Nobody. It is a movie by a Belgian director but most of the cast comprises of Hollywood actors. It is one of those movies that breeze past you and towards the end you realize you aren't sure about the plot. Although the feeling is to let go a second watch but the mind is still stuck with the 'I have to understand it' feeling. So I ended up watching it again but ended up with a lot more questions than answers. However that is what life is sometimes all about; the amount of unknown far outweighs the known. However this post is not about the movie, it is just inspired from a small scene from the movie or rather the scene which symbolised something far greater.
The scene filled just a few frames in the mile long reel of the movie but it symbolised the dilemma of the main character, Mr. Nobody. Before this scene the mother of the main character had decided to separate from her husband. She is at a station waiting for her train and sharing last few moments with her young son. When the train arrives at the station, the mother (Mr. Nobody's) takes a look at her son. At this moment both the parents are holding the child's hand. Both trying to hold onto something that still connects them. And at the same time, both trying to persuade the son to make a choice.
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| Mr. Nobody (click on the image to enlarge) |
Here is a snapshot of the scene. You can look at the family at the center of the scene. The station's name is Chance while a small hanging board with the words 'Way Out' hangs midway from the roof. Oh boy! Where are you going? You've a chance to decide your way out of this predicament. But you've to make the decision. The movie isn't about a story it is about the series of possibilities Mr. Nobody's life could have been, had certain choices been made. Whew! That's the muddiest (or the profoundest?) way I've ever described a story of a movie. But I guess, you've to watch the movie to understand my predicament! So go ahead and check out this stranger than fiction movie.
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| PC vs Mac |
Let's climb down from the cloud nine and touch the surreal reality of the Earth. Life in a way comprises of a series of symbols put together. A room filled with stuffed toys symbolising the innocent childhood. A roughed up and torn jeans symbolizing the rebellious teens. A young Mac next to a stubby PC symbolizing the difference between the technologies. A bright red plane with pretty air hostesses in bright dresses symbolizing fun and exclusivity. A Harley Davidson biker jacket with a skull bandanna symbolizing a carefree attitude. A yellow coverall with a vermillion mark on the forehead symbolizing purity. A packet of old letters burnt in a fire symbolizing riddance of past and embracement of new life.
So whether knowingly or unknowingly, symbolism is an essential part of our life. A picture is worth a thousand words. In life an act is worth tens of words put together. A simple wave of hand telling someone to brush off. A spread of arms with a smile can draw you closer than the words to converse the same emotion. These are some of the personal forms of symbolism a human being uses in his or her life. Hundreds of books have been written on body language, an art (or a science) trying to infer the characteristics of a human through the gestures or postures. Yet, a symbol may hold a completely different meaning for different set of minds.
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| A Monument in Pyongyang |
There are plenty of examples in the history where symbols of growth over time transformed into symbols of autocracy. Yet, whatever the case be there is no doubt a symbol can affect the mind faster and in ways far greater than a prose can. I write prose but I have to accept sometimes a photograph or a symbol can capture the moment and preserve it in time for generations to come. Although no denying the fact that pen is mightier than the sword. An idea or a slogan can alight a million hearts, perhaps which is the case with 'I am Anna' caps filling the people with a sense of ownership and belief that change is possible. Yes we can! That's what Barack Obama promised the Americans.
Enough with the self-defense from a writer [sic], coming back to symbolism in life. Symbols are mute yet they speak out louder than the words. A photograph brings in changes far greater than any governing body can achieve. Symbolism is humankind's effort to preserve the legacy of an idea or an act or simply a word to ensure future generations can perhaps interpret the true meaning their father's intended to convey. I am giving you a sneak preview of my mind through my writings. In a way my writings symbolize my mind. So is everything a symbol of something or the other?
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