In need of Defiance

I've always had a thing for movies based on true stories, and the kind of movies I've seen in the last two years during my MBA have only deepened my interest in them. The reason that these movies impress me so much is that they are based on actual events and are not the brainchild of a fiction author. This very fact makes them interesting for someone like me who doesn't like to read motivational books and prefers to be pragmatic. The last addition in this list was Daniel Craig's Defiance. I watched this movie when I was having a low day and the movie really set my mood rolling. The movie is about the Bielski brothers who lead a group of Jews taking shelter in the forests, making settlements in order to save them from Nazis during the second world war.

There is a lot we can learn from such movies. I'll list down a few things that I noticed in this movie.

1. A tinge of arrogance is unavoidable when you are leading a group not as strong as you, and time isn't on your side. At a point in the movie, Craig shows signs of slight arrogance which seems perfectly natural for a man given the circumstances.

2. Even great leaders are vulnerable to giving up. Towards the end of the movie, while being chased by Nazis, Craig gives up all hopes and is clueless about his next move.

3. The weakest of the people may emerge the strongest in the toughest times. When Craig gives up, his younger brother, who is shown emotionally weak earlier, emboldens him and saves the day.

Such movies invariably make me wonder when the Indian film industry will evolve to some quality cinema. I think the Indian audience is now ready for such movies but we hardly find them here in bollywood. I sometimes wonder if our movie makers are just incapable of it or is it that others are just too good. Well, I believe actions speak louder than words, and this is what they seem to be screaming. It is high time for our film industry to exhibit some 'defiance'.