Must Watch Film- Mala Mala
Preview for Mala Mala from youtube.com
This article was meant to be a film review of the movie Mala Mala, which was recently added to Netflix, however, the film moved me so much that I began to write and weep. I apologize if I do not tell you much about the film, but it is absolutely worth watching. What I took from the film were three powerful words, a mantra, which got me thinking about our world today.
Image from http://strandreleasing.com/films/mala-mala/
Those three powerful words are: TODOS SOMOS IGUALES, we are all equal. When I heard these words my heart was shattered, I began to cry for everyone who is treated differently because of the way they look, their mental or physical abilities, where they come from, what they believe in, and who they love. I am destroyed.
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We live in a world were hate, death, and fear are constantly being showcased, to the point that some days I wonder what kind of world we are leaving for our children?
Gif by Giphy.com
Yesterday, Donald Trump, in possibly the most un-American act, called for a total ban of Muslims entering the United States. It is easy to shrug it off as another one of his crazy antics, however, his words should be taken seriously. This is not the first time Trump has used his hate filled rhetoric to try to scare people and to discriminate against a group. HATE, IGNORANCE, INTOLLERANCE, and FEAR have to be STOPPED!
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However, this is not about Trump and his rhetoric of hate, this is about equality. More so, the lack of equality in the United States, and really, the world. There is too much inequality to write about, but I know something that can help. LOVE. ACCEPTANCE. CARING. COMPASSION.
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Back to Mala Mala:
In this beautifully photographed and edited film, we witness a slice of the daily struggle for transsexual and transgendered people in Puerto Rico. We meet a cast of men and women who frankly talk about their gender, sexuality, and the struggles of everyday life.
image from: www.kingsroad.it
However, the film does not want you to feel pity for the people featured, instead it wants you to realize that they are human beings who deserve the same respect and dignity automatically granted to others. As with any film dealing with LGTB people, it has problematic aspects, but overall, it is absolutely worth watching. I highly recommend it for everyone. It will transform you.
image from: www.nbcnews.com
Overall, I feel powerless against all of the hate and intolerance in the world today. After watching this film, I reconsidered a lot of how I treat others, and I was ashamed and I know that there is a need for change. But I don’t know where to start, so I will start here, with a quote J.M Barrie who writes: “Shall we make a new rule of life from tonight: always to try to be a little kinder than is necessary” We should strive to always be a little kinder.
