The Ushpizin is a Movie About Religion Essay Example
The Ushpizin is a Movie About Religion Essay Example

The Ushpizin is a Movie About Religion Essay Example

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  • Published: April 28, 2022
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This movie takes place at the time of Sukkot, a one week holiday for the Jews with big agricultural and historical significance. It commemorates the forty years of wandering in the desert after moving out of Egypt, during this time, the Jews were living in temporary shelters, Sukkot. Production of the movie involves an unusual partnership of secular filmmakers and the ultra-Orthodox, hence being a cinematic milestone in Israeli. It is a story about a certain couple in Jerusalem; they have no money for celebration of the Sukkot. They don’t even have the money to pay their rent. When thing get so difficult they pray since the take into practice that difficulties are just but tests of faith.

The fortune of the couple changes abruptly, an abandoned Sukkah is available at their doorstep. The husband, however, spends

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a tangible amount of the money on an adorable citron which is a holiday requirement. He believes that the more adorable the citron is, the more it is likely for conception of a child. Things take a different course when the ushpizin, the visitors, come to their place. At the time that the festive holiday of Sukkot begins, Moshe Bellanga, Breslau Chasidim and a purely religious man, finds himself somewhat broke.

He does not have the money for sukkah (the temporary dwellings that the religious Jews stay when they are commemorating the exodus time). He also does not have the money to purchase the four species upon which the Jews who are religious are required to make the blessings during holiday that is citron (esrog), willows (avaros), myrtle (hadas) and the date palm branches (lulav), these were considered a blessin

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for one to have the male children who were very precious in the Jewish culture. Moshe and his wife, Mali receives a mysterious gift of $ 1,000 which is given from a charity organization in the local, to them this is a holiday miracle. Since they were married for five years and still childless, he use the money to buy a citron branded “the diamond,” as it is believed to be the best in all Jerusalem and for decoration of Sukkah which is seemingly abandoned.

On the other hand, as the holiday begins, Eliyahu Scorpio and his friend Yossef come looking for Moshe, their former associate after escaping from the prison on a furlough. Hosting guests is rather considered a blessing during the Succoth festival. After finding their way to Mali and Moshe, Yossef and Scorpio reside in the Sukkah. They however abuse their welcoming and the hospitality of the host by smoking, indulging in bad table manners, drinking and playing loud music. Scorpio and Yossef openly question the sincerity of the faith that Moshe has newly found and alludes to his past where he was violent.

After coming up with a false story so as to rid themselves off their obnoxious guests, Mali and Moshe come to realize that the treatment of their Ushpizin is a test of worthiness. The escaped convicts create many conflicts and strain the relationship between Moshe and Mali. This is my God talks about the truth and faith in the belief in in God, as such; Ushpizin also depicts the way that faith alters reality not how reality is altered by faith. Moshe has made a commitment to strict observance of

faith by following to the latter the rules and the law that are required by the Jews as per the teachings of the Bible. Moshe was married before, and when the old wife come visiting, he is tempted by the memories that they had before but at the same time she is horrified by reality which is against the temptation before him.

His wife Mali is also so much determined to pass the test of going to heaven. One aspect of this film is that it examines the delicate balances of marriage as in the society. It depicts how couples are supposed to be there for one another, support each other and how they can also be thrown off the balance by each other. This is my God appeal for Orthodox Judaism is sincere, but also uneven at the ultimate end. The author argues against naturalistic atheism that is in and of fashion, it is however so much dominant in the western culture.

Naturalism is just a dogma of different form. Judaism is in accord with the heritage and values. The rituals of Judaism keep divinity in mind constantly. In relation to Ushpizin, the Couple wants to observe divinity and righteousness of the newly found faith. However, many people tend to come across some cemented certainty that when one believes in God, it shows being weak and fearful (Wouk, 2008).

This is shown when Mali becomes furious after finding out who the visitors were and where they were from, and that they were accepted by her husband trusting them to be with her in his absence. Neighboring Faiths gives emphasis not only to the formal religious teachings but

also to how the religion can be put in action and practiced in day to day life. Several photographs, maps and chats displayed how the faith that one has is lived out in the contemporary culture. It gives the glimpse of how the different autonomous religions that is Judaism, Islam and Christianity have developed interaction with one another.

It aims at understanding the intertwined pasts of these faiths so that the heirs can produce a good future (Nirenburg, 2014). This is captured in the film as the characters interact without much prejudice. The film startles in its universality, showing the members of the ultra-orthodox society in the scenes of ordinary living, grappling with their faith, dancing, drinking, reconciling and listening to the popular music. In its celebratory, good quality, Ushpizin in a definite unique movie experience. Khuda Kay Liye is a film that tackles the relationship that exists between the extremists and the moderate Muslims.

It comes from a country that is considered deeply religious, Pakistan. The film is gripping despite the fact that the quality of production could do with some improvement and not have had the many stereotypical characters like it did. Also, the story could have been made less melodramatic. The film gives a strong and less subtle message that Islam is not all about terrorism and it is also not about forced marriages. The movie does not only cater for the issues in Islam and fundamentalism in it but also issues like 9/11 problems and its problems faced by Islam and issues of the Pakistanis who are born and raised in foreign places.

The movie is about two brothers who are talented musicians in

Lahore. They grow apart and, as such, they embrace rather different teachings in Islam. Within a short period of time, one of the brothers falls under the influence of the local mullah, abandons his rock group and his rich family and parents and heads off to Taliban. He chooses a completely different path for himself that no one in his family ever thought he would. The inspiration for such a path comes from Maulana. The other leaves Pakistan for Chicago so that he can study music.

While in the United States, he falls in love and marries an American. In unfolding of events, police become suspicious of his Muslim background and arrest him claiming that he played a role in the planning of the 9/11 attacks. The director, Mansoor, has told a very dramatic story. It deals with forced marriages and forbidden love as well as the clashing between western Values and traditional values. The story of the movie takes place in three locations that is, Pakistan (Lahore), where the musician brothers, Sarmad and Mansoor live. The United Kingdom, London, where Mary or Maryam is introduced and the United States, Chicago, where Mansoor goes to further a career in music.

Independent Mary clashes with her father because he does not like her boyfriend as he is British.Meanwhile, his father plans to take her to meet Mansoor and Sarmad in Pakistan. She is deceived to marry her cousin, Sarmad. Mary is forcefully married and she abandons her household. As she is attempting to run away from the village, Sarmad catches her he marries her by force so that she could not escape again. Mary is however rescued by

Sarmad’s father with the help of the British government.

Mary takes her cousin and her father to court in Pakistan. Wali, a Maulana, explains in the court the way that Islam is misused in the name of hatred and war. This brings the religion forward in more peaceful and ultimately believable manner. As depicted in the Neighboring Faiths, there is need for a well interrelationship between the various faiths, Christianity and Muslim in this case (Corduan, 2012). As Mr.

Mansoor says, the Muslim faces a lot of tragedy as they are beaten by the fundamentalists, labeling them too western and when the Muslim go out of their country they are labeled fundamentalists since they have Pakistani names. Eventually Mary is free and she returns to the village where she is kept prisoner to help in educating the girls. In relation to the Neighboring Faiths, Khuda Kay Liye not only deal with the fundamentalism issues and how it destroys the bonds in the society but it also gives the important details on the issues that face the Muslims around the globe. It is moving and very sad as the plight of Mansoor is ignored, he is arrested wrongly by the FBI investigators concerning the 2001 terror attacks that took place in New York. In this scene, the investigators are demonized and there is much criticism of the modernized Pakistanis who love America.

This shows out lack of unity and how it can also be had to blend the different cultures and the religions. Nevertheless, if the ‘moderate’ muslims can have the belief that the West is Islam’s real enemy and that the free societies of current times does not

match up with the greatness of the earlier times Muslim rule, then there is much similarity between then and the Jihadis. Islam however, refuses to accept that current times have no place for any religion in the public square. Most other faiths have retrieved to a more private space except for Islam. What Everybody Should Know About Islam and Muslims depicts the West to be a place of moral bankruptcy. The author, Ms.

Haneef, engages in some form of stereotyping when talking about the people who are not Muslim. It is seen that there are differences in religious and spirituality on the ways of life of the Muslim. She tries to make Islam seem a more superior faith in comparison to the other belief system, giving conviction as objective fact and presents subjective opinion. Like it is seen in the film, Khuda kay Liye, there is a big gap between the Christians and the Muslims where at times the two religions see enemies in each other. What Everyone Should Know about Islam and Muslims continues to portray the large gap that is between the faith that is depicted and the reality that unveils in the so called Muslim countries all over the World. Even in the countries of the Muslim, the true Muslims are the minority.

Relating Neighboring Faiths and What Everyone Should Know about Islam and Muslims with the film Khuda kay Liye, there are lots of things that make the movie a worth to see. About religion it is shown that the external religion manifestations are not that vital in faith, it is how one lives their life that is more important. A lot of

things said by Naseerudin (good Maulvi) are educational to the non-Muslim too. The film is from a religious country hence brings to its best the conflict between the rest of the world against Islam.

Gandhi film as presented by Richard Attenborough gives a realistic yet very chronological account of the life the Indian political activist, Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, who was also the leader of non-violent in India lived. The film begins at the end, showing Gandhi being shot in a broad day light at a public event by an assassin. This event is followed by a scene where mourners are in large numbers hence evident that Gandhi’s death is a national tragedy. After this introductory, the film goes back in time and shows a young Gandhi who is attorney in South Africa. In the train he is riding, he gets an order to go to third class though his ticket indicates first class due to him being a minority.

He is thrown out and after he refuses. Many themes emerge in this film. The central theme becomes a theme that is also central in the life of Gandhi, that is, the effectiveness and importance of non-violent protests. After being taken to the third class, Gandhi is even more determined to bring to an end racial oppression and create equality. After being somehow successful in South Africa he returns to his native country India where he is treated as a hero. His attempts to bring similar changes in India are met with surmounted challenges as the British authority does not allow him to create a more equal society.

In the film, Gandhi is jailed over and over and get

more frustrated as there are increased violence on both sides. He opts for hunger strike after a severe mass killing of peaceful Indian protesters. The director makes this scene one of the most intense by showing for about six minutes how Indian civilians, including women and children, being mercilessly killed by what seems to be East Asian or Chinese troops. The Brutality of the scene is magnified when the lieutenant who was in charge defends his decision to continue firing until over a thousand people dies . The campaign against the British generates worldly attention, making British to face intense pressure of the outer countries.

It thus grants India independence after the Second World War. The citizens do not hide their happiness, they celebrate the victory but their problems are not over yet. The country is subsequently rifted in terms of religion. Religious tensions between the Muslims and the Hindu eventually bring widespread violence in the nation. It is hoped that making the Muslims to live a separate country would abate the violence.

However, Gandhi opposes the idea and is ready to let Mohammad Ali Jennah become India’s first prime minister. Gandhi last days are spent in trying to unite and bring peace between Pakistan and India. He angers both sides dissidents and such there is a plot to kill him, one Godse is one of those who want to assassinate him. He eventually shot him. The theme of fighting for justice is evident in the film, Gandhi uses the power of masses to help fight for justice. Although all of his goals are not achieved, he makes a significant difference in his world.

Desire for peace is

what pushes Gandhi to do all he does (Chan, 2016). He desires lasting peace oven over his own life. He does what he can in his position to bring peace in the world and his country. Power of publicity is highlighted in the film, after Gandhi had made friendship with the reporter Walker, he finds out that the effectiveness of his form of protest is dependent on the views of the views of the world on his actions. What Do Hindus Believe? Explains the importance of right beliefs (Orthodoxy) and right practices (Orthopraxy) as per the Hindu way of religion.

Gandhi as depicted in the film, practices the righteousness in beliefs and action. However, the sheer diversity of beliefs in the Hindu religion including, Monotheists, polytheists and atheists and the different practices that differs across the many regions and social groups has resulted to some claims that Hindu is somewhat becoming meaningless (Dwyer, 2013). The author examines the practices and beliefs of the Hindu in diaspora, particularly emphasizing on Britain. She argues about some of the cults which have become are much popular in the west and based around the spiritual teachers. Humanity is a theme that the film and the book shares. In the religion, the eternal soul of every human is the manifestation that is in our physical doings and is trapped mysteriously in the physical body.

A person lives repeated lives or reincarnations which are termed Samsara before the soul is liberated from the body. Gandhi practices humanity throughout his life; he help the oppressed in the society achieve their freedom without discriminating them. In his last day, after being shot the audience sees

the cremation of his body. The film ends in a scene where Gandhi’s body ashes are scattered.

It is now believed that his soul has separated from his body. The cultures in the Gandhi are not connected and do not live in harmony as the Neighboring Faiths suppose the different beliefs should. The Islam and the Hindu and the Christians are in continuous fights and wars. As such, Gandhi tries to bring them together. He does what he can but there is no ultimate success as the Pakistani and the Hindu continue to fight after his death.

The life of Gandhi is shaped and influenced by the religious teaching from diverse religions including Islam, Christianity, Buddhism and mostly Hinduism. He devoted his time to study the religions in the world and hence gained respect for the texts in religion and those who seek for the truth. After getting independence from the British, it was a tougher time for Gandhi. He fasts until almost dying to stop the violence that was culminating into a possible civil war.

References

  1. Nirenburg, D. (2014). Neighboring Faiths: Christianity, Islam, and Judaism in the Middle Ages and Today. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.
  2. Wouk, H. (2014). This Is My God; The Jewish Way of Life.

    New York City, NY: Leatherbound Bestsellers.

  3. Haneef, S. (1999). What Everyone Should Know about Islam and Muslims. New Delhi, India: Adam Publishers & Distributors.
  4. Esposito, J.

    L. (2002). Esposito: What Everyone Needs to Know. New York City, NY: Oxford University Press, USA.

  5. Corduan, W. (2012).

    Neighboring Faiths: A Christian Introduction to World Religions. Westmont, Illinois: InterVarsity Press.

  6. Pillai, R. & Stites-Doe, S (2003). Teaching Leadership: Innovative Approaches for the 21st

Century. Charlotte, North Carolina: IAP.

  • Chan, C. (2016).

    The Mahatma Gandhi handbook – Everything You Need To Know About Mahatma Gandhi. Queensland, Australia: Emereo Publishing.

  • Gwyer, R. (2013). What Do Hindus Believe? London, United Kingdom: Granta Publications.
  • Wilson, W & Herman, G.

    (2003). World History On The Screen: Film And Video Resources:grade 10-12. Portland, Maine: Walch Publishing. http://www.islamicbulletin.org/free_downloads/new_muslim/what_everyone.pdf

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