I once said that the first rule of life was to read the books before the movies. Huh. I broke that rule a few times over the past few years, with Catching Fire [didn't even watch the first movie before it] and If I Stay and City of Bones.
Despite that I think it's a good idea to watch films before reading the books, so that instead of hating the movie adaptation after you loved the book, you'll enjoy the movie on its own, and then love it even more when you read the book. Makes sense? My logic anyway, and I came to realise it's true.
So anyway I just finished watching The Giver, and yep I never read the book. Was supposed to, back in sec 2 for literature but I never did. No regrets, because I already think the film is great.
I've always believed dystopian societies are scary, a society where everything is in control. Hunger Games, the thought of children being thrown in an arena to kill one another. Divergent, where you are allowed to only be selfless, or honest, or intelligent, and never more than one.
And also The Program, where you are not allowed to even mourn the death of a friend, because they'll think you're depressed and suicidal and put you through this thing called the 'program' to avoid having you commit suicide. Quite an underrated dystopian book.
The idea of a world without feelings, or pop culture, art, music, a world where the animals you see now are considered mythical creatures. When Jonas first saw colour I was already crying a few tears, because I don't ever want to live somewhere without the blues of the sky or the greens of the trees, or even just the reds of apples.
All the time, I see people who have been hurt say they don't want to feel anymore, They don't want their emotions because they don't want to be hurt, but really... Seeing the actors faking their lack of emotion is enough to make me tear up, imagine being without the ability to love or to cry.
Imagine not knowing what a kiss is, never receiving or giving one. Imagine not being able to cry when you've lost a loved one. Honestly, to me, the ability to cry is a blessing. Sadness is a blessing, and if you can feel it, you're really lucky.
Imagine not knowing what books and music are, imagine a world where nobody dances. I think it's really sad and you can't deny it. A world where everybody is the same, dresses the same, obeys the same rules and have their entire lives laid out in front of them.
I love that in reality, people dress differently and are able to express themselves. And not just their clothing, but they're able to write, or make music, or create art as their way of expression. I love that not everyone is smart, not everyone knows what they want to do in their future.
Believe me when I say I am one who does not stand for perfection, heh. I cannot stand neatly arranged stuff, and I guess that applies to a perfect society too.
I love the differences in the world, I love the different seasons and climates every country has, and I love the existence of art and music and literature, and I love the animals roaming on this planet, from the largest of elephants to the most domestic of cats.
I love the different skin colours, religious beliefs and practices everyone has, I love how not everybody is the same level of intelligent and how everyone excels in different areas in school or talent. I love how people are different and do different things.
Yes I can imagine a world without all these. And that's what makes me appreciate all of it, even the pain and disorder and death that it brings. It makes me appreciate being where I am and who I am, here in a small country where tsunamis can't reach, as this girl who is invisible to everyone but who sees every inch of the world like it's her back garden.
Watching The Giver has made me love the world even more than I already do, made me appreciate being alive more than ever, and I wish everyone could see things the way I do, even though they never will.
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