Justice in "Romero" The influential and gripping film, " Romero", directed by John Duigan, portrays the life and death of Archbishop Oscar Romero. The movie shows the world through the eyes of the El Salvadorian people during the 1980's, when poverty and military rule flourished over the people. The country of El Salvador was run by an elite group of few who controlled most of the power and money, leaving the majority of the people deprived and powerless. This imbalance in the social system left much of the people under oppression, constantly controlled by the corrupt government and even sometimes persecuted when they tried to speak out. The church was a witness to the violations of human rights and this ruthless behavior by the El …show more content…
At first this is what Romero did, he preached to be peacemakers and not to revolt. But after the government shot their weapons into crowds indiscriminately at a worship ceremony held outside, killing a few people including a priest who was also Romero's close friend, was when Romero begins to rebuke the government and lead the struggle for justice and human rights in the country. Romero develops into a man who rocks the boat. In that, meaning he organized rallies and masses that brought the people together causing anger upon the government. He leads a peasant march into a church that is occupied by soldiers in order to perform mass, and also offends and defies the El Salvadorian president. Throughout the movie, Romero is faced with challenge after challenge from the military and government, but through it all he continued to speak to his people and praising the word of god. The film came to a tragic ending as Archbishop Romero was shot by a hired assassin during mass. Although martyred for his beliefs, his spirit lived on in the Salvadorian people. Father Romero was a very influential figure. Inclined himself by the masses of poverty stricken individuals harmed by the government, Romero was a man who was clearly in pursuit of social justice. The first step he took towards the situation was assessing the real life poverty and oppression that was at hand. Romero along with the church examined what was
This event give the chance for Romero to go through a change in the story, making him a dynamic character. Since it puts into perspective the way he handles the whole situation by contemplating the possibility that the old man took his shirt, “… but especially the one reminding him that this was what he had always believed in, that loss was what he was most prepared for.” (Gilb 396). Making him reflect about how he is spending his life, worrying and isolating himself from his family instead of enjoying his wife’s company, the few years he has left with his kids and their modest house. The old man acts as an antagonist in the story, adding to the enigma of the shirt, but mostly disrupting the peace that Romero was having. On the other hand, the role of the old man is to remind us that it could be worse. He had to do yard work for anyone that could offer a few dollars and a plate of food at an advanced stage in his life. The old man does not have something stable and is not able to depend on anyone. This shows us that after all Romero’s life was not that bad. Gilb’s describes the interaction of those two men as “likeable”, almost as if Romero could see his reflection in this old man’s face. The presence of the old man reignites the wishes that Romero always had, but never stopped to think about; like take his family to visit his uncle’s house in San Diego or Los Angeles. Even to think of the possibility to “… go for
In the Republic, Socrates starts the discussion with the definition of justice. When Thrasymachus angrily interrupts and gives his own definition, he in fact takes an opposite view on justice and argues that injustice is more advantageous and profitable. Glaucon and Adiemantus further develop Thrasymachus’ view with a theory of the nature and the origins of justice and claim that justice is desired only for the sake of rewards. In Amazing Grace, injustice happens every day at every corner of Mott Haven, yet there are still a lot of citizens trying to lead a just life. In the conflict between the authorities and the Mott Haven citizens, the ceaseless injustice in Mott Haven, and some people’s just acts, Thrasymachan view of justice is reflected.
Romero wakes up later only to realize his favorite shirt was gone. Gilbs story suggests a central conflict of man vs self by showing us that a person can become detached and withdrawn due to reality not living up
Near the beginning of the movie there is a group of monks seen walking through an impoverished town. Unlike what one would expect from people of God, the monks do not stop to help anyone or even look at them. When there are people lying on the ground half dead, most people would think that the monks would be there to heal and give food to the poor and dying; however, they are seen passing by with their neat robes on. This represents the complete lack of caring that the upper class religious leaders show for the common person.
There are three elements of film that are individually important, however when they are viewed as a dependent unit (one element depending on another) they become absolutely critical to a great film and the impending success or failure. These three parts are narrative, direction and cast. Films have been viewed as a success or failure based on their narrative being portrayed alone. Yet, direction, cast as well as narrative have a directly proportional relationship. Great director and a great cast with a mediocre script or storyline will produce a mediocre film. Any one of these elements can be less than great and it will negatively affect the others as well as the film. All of these and more displayed perfect balance in Night of the Living Dead. George Romero did a remarkable job of ensuring emotions were conveyed to their audience through the camera, as well as his brilliant use of mise en scene (which will be discussed later). Specific examples
One important indicator on the Catholic Church’s stance on Liberation Theology and general social activism in Latin America will be to see if Archbishop Oscar Romero is accepted into sainthood. The iconic and controversial religious leader worked tirelessly to help the lower-class in El Salvador. His teachings and beliefs that the marginalized peasants should be treated justly made him a living legend among his countrymen and isolated him from the nation’s corrupt elites. Although he never specifically condoned violence, his sermons played no small part in fomenting a bloody peasant uprising and civil war that raged for over a decade. In the last few years, a strong effort has been made to canonize Romero. Although he is revered not only in his own country but throughout the world, there exist a few issues that could possibly preclude him for becoming a saint. He is still strongly disliked by the vast majority of the wealthy and powerful ruling class of El Salvador, he, indirectly and inadvertently, helped bring about a violent conflict that ravaged his nation and, perhaps most importantly, his canonization may appear to be a carte blanche validation of Liberation Theology and the Marxist uprisings that were often associated with the movement. The canonization of Oscar Romero will redefine the seminal ideal of a modern-day saint and could quite
Unfortunately, the AIDS-stricken director died before the film was completed. This film operates as a kind of last will and testament for Marlon Riggs. “He bequeaths the idea that rigid
The Theme of Justice in The Crucible The crucible was set in 1692 in Salem, Massachusetts. The play is based on true facts about events that actually took place. It is about a small secluded town that relies strongly on their religion to keep them feeling safe. Their enemy is the devil and they are always scared of the devil and constantly looking for signs that the devil is there.
The Supreme Court addressed the constitutionality of executing someone who claimed actual innocence in Herrera v. Collins (506 U.S. 390 (1993)). Although the Court left open the possibility that the Constitution bars the execution of someone who conclusively demonstrates that he or she is actually innocent, the Court noted that such cases would be very rare. The Court held that, in the absence of other constitutional violations, new evidence of innocence is no reason for federal courts to order a new trial. The Court also held that an innocent inmate could seek to prevent his execution through the clemency process, which, historically, has been "the 'fail safe' in our justice system." Herrera was not
The Slaughterhouse begins with the explanation of how lent is starting so they cannot eat meat and during this time there has been intense flooding that has made going anywhere in Buenos Aires nearly impossible. Preachers are claiming that this flood is because judgement day is coming and God is angry with the wickedness of man. More specifically man is angry with the heretical Unitarian political party, which at the time is the reign of Rosas. Additionally, the city is starting to
What is law? Law is a system of rules used to govern a society and control the behaviors of its members. In this case, Martin Luther King is charged for breaking a law. King questions the differences between just and unjust laws to justify his actions in Birmingham and the charges of breaking laws willingly. Defending his willingness to break laws, King argues, “How can you advocate breaking laws and obeying other?” He answers to accusation of his willingness to break laws with a well-written argument of what is just and unjust laws. Martin Luther King uses the definition, the categories, and the implication of the law excellently to answer the charges of breaking laws willingly.
A major theme in this book is about God. Seen in, “If there is going to be hope and a hope of wholeness, is the unshaking need for an unshakeable God.” (23) Maya’s grandma is a firm believer of God, and since Maya moves in with her, she forces Maya to go to church every Sunday. Even through all the trials and
“City of God ‘has nothing to do with the Rio you see in the postcards’. It is a 1960s-style housing project that, in tandem with increasing drug dealing, became, already by the 1980s, one of the most dangerous places in Rio. It is a place abandoned by God and justice, where police hardly ever come and where residents’ life expectancy does not considerably exceed the twenties”EXPAND (Diken 2).
I agree with you that by the end of the film, Romero had a strong and bold personality; which was amazing to see because is very seldom that we find a timid person become so strong and courageous. In my point of view, his strong believes that he was serving God and not men is what made him to fight for the rights of the church, people, and priests.
In this section, I will first outline the plot of Calvary. Then I will point out that there are two major themes in the film. The first one is the human side of a Catholic priest. The second one is the Catholic Church.