Posted by llrrrpp on August 26, 2006, at 22:47:57
I had the responsibility of picking movies tonight for my date with husband.
It came down to Snakes on a Plane vs. World Trade Center
I decided to take a big risk and see WTC. The reason why it's very risky is that I am often triggered by movies. For about 2 months, I couldn't see ANY movies [I was triggered by the were-rabbit. yes, I had some kind of strong anxiety/trauma reaction to almost anything]. I am still cautioned by T to avoid the news, and anything that involves violence, strife, or loss.
Well, I just finished reading a fairly disturbing book that involves some pretty twisted psychology "Lulu Incognito". It was free at the used bookstore. I rescued it. Anyways, I was feeling brave, but also kind of like I wanted to inflict something on myself.
Well, WTC is enough to trigger anyone with post-trauma stress following 9/11. I have a little bit of that myself. It happened at a bad time in my life, and I was in a bad place. The movie did not try to INFLICT 9/11 on the audience though. It avoided most of the tricks that movies use to terrify us, like sudden shocks, scary music, and gore. Rather, there was a certain ease between transitions, and a relaxed rhythm, despite the urgency of the rescue attempt.
Ultimately though, at the end of the movie, I felt strong emotions, none of which were anxiety.
I felt survivor's guilt.
I felt like life was precious.
I felt like love was precious.
I felt like family was precious.
and I had a renewed sense of respect for those who risk their lives in public service.And I held my husband's hand. And we walked out of the theater, and he asked me "Do I love you enough?" and I asked him "Do I love you enough?"
It was that kind of movie.
-ll
poster:llrrrpp
thread:680411
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20060819/msgs/680411.html