jennylove Posted October 24, 2015 Posted October 24, 2015 It was around 3 weeks ago, I went out with a group of coworkers. I learned that 2 of them - male and female- were drinking heavily to numb the pain of a somewhat recent breakup they were both experiencing. I came thisclose to telling them about ENA, but I decided against it because I sometimes post work-related questions that could possibly give my alias away if they read my posts. To make them feel better, I did my best to give pep talks after listening to their stories about being victim to lies and infidelity. My most recent BU story can pull at heartstrings b/c I went through it in a new city where I had no friends or family and no television - basically my air mattress, ENA from my iPhone, and blank walls. I was in "corporate housing" at the time that was not furnished. Ehh. Rough. Anyway, they asked me if I could recommend any movies or books to possibly help them heal. I gave a couple of old recommendations that I recalled helped me from some personal crap years ago. I'm a history buff, so I recommended books on the Rwanda Genocide and movie-wise, Holocaust movies. These things always help me out things into perspective. I'm not sure why I didn't think to do more reading or movie watching during my most recent breakup. I did not expect either of them to read/watch any anything about the Genocide/Holocoust, but the guy casually asked for a specific movie title. Hmm. The first movie that came to my mind was "The Boy with the Striped Pajamas". They each pulled out their phones and sent themselves a memo with the movie title name. A week passed and I saw them both the same day. I asked how they were, and they were both still depressed and down. I then asked if they've read or watched anything good. They both said no. Well, it triggered the guy to watch my movie rec that evening. He said it helped him put life into perspective and made him realize how small his problems really are. He text me that he is OVER her and he believed the movie was the driving force. I told the other coworker, the woman, and she watched the movie last night. She text me tonight that she's also on the path to healing and moving on, thanks to the movie. I decided to Netflix The boy with the Striped Pajamas tonight since its been years, and yeah, it's THAT amazing. It's my new go-to movie when life throws lemons.
Realitynut Posted October 24, 2015 Posted October 24, 2015 I watched it last year.....and found it extremely depressing!
jennylove Posted October 24, 2015 Author Posted October 24, 2015 It's definetely depressing. Movies about war, slavery, Holocaust , etc help me realize that life is too short to be fretting over some dude. The happy and sappy movies used to make me more depressed if I watched them during a BU. But movies like "The Boy..." help enlighten me in so many ways. And helped my coworkers, too. I figure it may help someone here as well.
Seraphim Posted October 24, 2015 Posted October 24, 2015 People who have vulnerability from trauma should be careful watching these types of movies. I found it quite a triggering movie. I can't watch anything where the abuse of people or animals is the overwhelming majority of the movie.
Fudgie Posted October 24, 2015 Posted October 24, 2015 Every year, I re-watch Downfall and Shindler's List. I really like films about war, Holocaust, etc. Yes, it puts things into perspective. It also helps to remind myself of the terrible things that humanity is capable of. Yes, I'm a bit of a misanthrope. When I get done watching movies like that, I have a sour pit in the center of my stomach. That's an effect of seeing brutal reality. Overall, I wouldn't say it makes me feel BETTER about my own life, but I do find it useful to realign myself, and remind myself of how grateful I am to have the life I have. I did not like Boy in the Stripes Pajamas as I felt it was rather unrealistic and thus, manipulative to me, but I understand why other people like it. For an excellent Holocaust movie, check out "Life is Beautiful". It's a heart-warming story about a father and his son who get put into a camp. It's not really bloody/gory and it's really sweet how the father is with his son. There are some funny moments, believe it or not. I highly recommend.
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