The Power Of Forgiveness (2007/First Run Features Documentary)

 

Picture: C+     Sound: C+     Extras: C+     Documentary: B

 

 

Should one forgive another for things they have done them that cannot be undone?  The answer all too often in the media is yes, though it is one of the most problematic affirmatives you can imagine.  Sadly, this is a scenario that has taken kindness and good will for weakness, resulting in a lopsided exploitation of people by more ignorant, mean-spirited and even dangerous individuals who keep sticking it to said person when a given situation seems to be resolved.  Fortunately, it does not have to be that way.

 

What happens if one child kills another for a thrill?  What about genocide, political and religious indifference that kills?  What about sexual transgressions?  Situations as grave and serious as this are examined in Martin Doblmeier’s The Power Of Forgiveness (2007) and it is more than worthy of his impressive documentary Bonhoeffer, reviewed elsewhere on this site.

 

Several real-life case studies are introduced and besides religious figures, we get writers Thomas Moore, Marianne Williamson and the actual persons left alive and behind as either victims or close ones of those no longer with us case by case.  In each case, we see people forgiving the unforgivable and the message of this sincere work is that though it may be very hard, there are advantages to forgiving some may not consider.  As much as it tries to phrase it as a possible resolution without compromise, it fails to shoot down the sappy conformist version that says put up with misery no matter what to sacrifice yourself for others, a message it never tries to imply to its credit.

 

In this, it offers no easy answers or attempts to, but is intelligent enough to bring up serious issues and though each answer and solution will never fit each case, forgiveness can stop madness under the proper circumstances where all benefit.

 

The letterboxed 1.78 X 1 image originates on video and is fine for that, with some stock footage from various sources, including older film and video.  Editing helps and pacing is never condescending.  The Dolby Digital 2.0 is simple stereo at best, often with talking.  Extras include trailers for related DVD releases from First Run, text about Journey Films, interview with director Doblmeier, Desmond Tutu speech and the short film One More Thought.

 

 

-   Nicholas Sheffo