Over time stabbing pains of wounds, physical or mental, tend to fade in intensity. The self-healing properties in the incredible machine that is the human body probably never will be explained. When nature gets angry the mind begins first to rationalize, then grudgingly accept and then move on to rebuild.
Egotistical and twisted thought that leads to wars is a different matter. The propagandized arguments devised to “mind wash” the populace on misguided patriotism have and continue to cause physical and mental maiming. The winner might take it all; the loser may stand small but there are stories on both sides of the divide that aren't always told.
Nearly 84 years after World War II, 115 after the First Great War, views have changed on the platform of the movie industry. From the thrilling heroism of Guns of Navarone, Where Eagles Dare, Night of the Generals, and more recently Saving Private Ryan, Forrest Gump, and many more, it was the Western or the Allied side of the story we were told. A stream of films, French, Spanish, and Nordic are beginning to show glimpses of the other side of the story. Albeit carefully depoliticized, All Quiet on the Western Front that garnered a host of BAFTA and Emmy awards, is vivid in how young, impressionable teenagers were brainwashed and sent to the front line where reality smashed illusions beyond repair.
They were among the more than 20 million that were killed, many that never got a decent burial. Barely six years later, two of the bitterest foes of World War II, France and West Germany, sat across a table along with Italy, Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg to sign a treaty to run their coal and steel industries under common management with the “goods” produced never to be used against each other in war. In 1958 the European Economic Community and the European Atomic Energy Community were formed. Thereafter, the formation of the European Parliament and its subsequent expansion to where it is today.
Movies are meant to entertain, inform, and give history visual -- even graphic -- form. They expose the one-sided nature of politicians and the expendability of citizens' lives. The turnaround events are observed in grossly watered down nature. There are museums strewn around to try and ensure atrocities aren't forgotten. Yet, no one has really come out to explain how “moving on” is possible by trampling over emotions and for individual stories to be born out of despotism.
Occasionally there are moments that make old scars ache: The official return of Adolph Hitler's Mein Kampf to German bookstores. The simmering discontent about visits to temples by Japanese leaders, the exposure of crimes against humanity and sheer plunder by the British in India and Africa, the Belgians and the French are all carefully hidden from new generations in history books. The Crusades are glorified; it's failure left to gather dust.
It goes on and on.
New beginnings are needed. That begins with giving back that which was wrongfully wrested away from other countries. Reparations are due for the horrible atrocities such as in Jallianwala Bagh, Bangladesh, Kashmir, Arakan and more. That's where movie makers and rights' upholders must combine their strengths. That the move for human rights and democracy should emanate from those that are most guilty of stamping such values under their boots is laughable.
More so when majority voices are ignored under the powers of a democratic process that is woefully inadequate.
Mahmudur Rahman is a writer, columnist, broadcaster, and communications specialist.