If we had been told – just a
few weeks ago – that most countries in Europe were going to be bit by a
pandemic due to a virus called “coronavirus”, most of us would probably have
been reluctant to believe so. This medical crisis started in China and is
spreading all over the world. Its origin is medical because it affects our
health but the crisis is of such magnitude that it will have –and it is already
having – a devastating effect on every aspect of our societies. How can we
prevent the virus from continuing spreading? According to experts, it seems
that the only way to do so is by not keeping in touch with other human beings,
that´s why most of the countries affected by the pandemic have declared a state
of confinement. Let´s face it, this idea has come as some sort of shock to most
of us because we have never dealt with a similar situation: lockdown, state of
emergency, confinement, curfew… all
these are terms that we associate with war zones and luckily, apart from the
elderly, most inhabitants have not been forced to live under the conditions which
are typical of the times of war. As we know, reality is stranger than fiction (I
wrote about this on the post “Stranger than fiction”, 31st August
2016) and we can´t help feeling overwhelmed by such an unpredictable situation,
therefore, these days some of us have claimed to have the feeling of being the
actors of a sci-fi film, which, in other words, is our way of saying that we
have the sensation that what is happening around us is not real and of all of a
sudden, we will wake up from this nightmare and we will be able to lead our ordinary
lives. However, we can´t change reality – this is not a sci-fi film – and if we
feel temped to classify it in cinematic terms, the terms of “drama” or “documentary” can be more precise, don´t you
think?
Nevertheless, it is important
to keep our spirits up and to try to look on the bright side. The strength of
our societies when all the members work together in pursuit of the same goal – stopping
the pandemic – is also showing us the best of all of us, as citizens and as
human beings and we should also feel proud of that, shouldn´t we?
Cinema plays a very important
role in the lives of many of us but it is precisely these days that lots of
people are resorting to films and TV series as a way of coping with the
self-isolation that our authorities have prescribed as the best way of
protecting ourselves and the people around us. Some people have even purchased
the service of one of those digital platforms which offer us the opportunity of
watching innumerable TV series, shows and films. From the wide range of films
offered by the network which one of my friends has bought, she has started
choosing films by Alfred Hitchcock as a good option for her children: suspense
and action are some of the best ingredients in his films and do you know what?
Her children have become hooked on the stories of one of the maestros of the history
of cinema. Obviously, all not of his films are for children and now she has
begun to have some difficulty in choosing the ones which are really suitable
for them … my friend has created two new film buffs these days!!
As always, these days,
watching a film can be a fantastic plan and when you can´t walk out of the door
of your house or your flat but you look forward to walking, travelling, moving
around and knowing and learning about other places, CINEMA offers you the best
option. I guess there is only one alternative which is as good as watching a
film: reading a book!!
Here, you can have a look at
the list of films suggested by a British newspaper for these weeks if you need
help to make a choice:
While you are self-isolated these days, take advantage of your time to
watch the films you´ve been meaning to watch for a long time or spend your time
reading the books on which some of your favourite films are based so that you
can compare both stories. Whatever you decide to do, STAY AT THOME for the sake
of all us!!
