Video Review: The Power of Forgiveness

Alexandria, VA: Journey Films. Producer/Director Martin Doblmeier. 78 minutes.

This film offers a multi-dimensional view of the important and difficult topic of forgiveness. It brings together stories, research and personal reflection to illustrate the power and the complexity of the topic.

Seven stories provide structure for the documentary:

• Northern Ireland and the recent introduction of forgiveness education in elementary schools there.
• The murder of children in an Amish schoolhouse, with discussion of the role of the Amish community in expecting and supporting a posture of forgivenss.
• The Holocaust and the remarkable proposal by Elie Wiesel that the President of Germany appear before the Knessit and ask forgiveness on behalf of the German people.
• Ground Zero and the proposal by some victims' families that a garden of forgiveness be added to the memorial. The would be based on the original garden established in Beirut.
• The personal story of one of the professors we meet who has studied forgiveness scientifically, and whose mother was subsequently brutally murdered.
• Plum Village, a Buddhist community in southern France established by Thich Nhat Hanh, a priest exiled from Viet Nam because of his work for peace.
• The story of Azim Khamisa and Ples Felix, which centers around the murder of Khamisa's son by Felix' grandson, and their subsequent work to reduce violence among children.

There are no simple answers offered, but the clear message of the film is that forgiveness benefits the forgiver and can bring dramatic resolution for all the parties touched by the wrong.

Clearly the journey to forgiveness is an individual one and some of the complexities of this are illustrated by two short statements made in the middle of the video. One speaker cautions that people should not forgive before they are ready. The time will come when forgiveness is a natural and appropriate act. He is immediately followed by another speaker who argues that forgiveness requires a decision to forgive, a decision based on will, not emotion. The emotion of forgiveness will follow, he suggests.

This is a very well done film that is sure to provoke conversation and reflection. A website, www.thepowerofforgiveness.com, offers a number of resources for further study, conversation and activity.

The DVD may be purchased for US $24.95 at Journey Films' website. A companion book by Ken Briggs is also available for the same price.