Overcoming Terror
By Patrick Cucci, with comments by Elizabeth Guzzo and Matthew Holley
[1] During this scene, Mariane and all those intimately involved in searching for Danny are seated at the dinner table inside of Asra Nomani’s home. While this entire tragedy took place, Mariane and Asra had set up Asra’s home as the command center for their research in trying to locate Danny. It is only fitting, then, to have Asra’s home be the location in which everyone could reside and enjoy one’s company while informally remembering Danny’s honor.
[2] Director Michael Winterbottom has effectively captured a crucial moment within the confines of this episode. The dinner scene serves as a middle-ground between two other pivotal scenes in the film. After Mariane learns of Danny’s execution, she breaks down in tears. Her blood curdling shouts are heard from inside the room to which she escapes. This type of emotional climax is one that comes to an apex because of the news of a loved one’s death. These screams as a result of death, though, will shortly be followed by ones of new life. Winterbottom chooses to trail this outburst with calm resolve on Mariane’s behalf during the dinner scene. He then creatively fastens the two integral components of the film together with one last emotional scene portraying Adam’s birth. By depicting Mariane giving birth to her son Adam, the film comes full circle. The screams resulting from death are followed by birth pangs, just as penetrating as the previous screams, that produce Danny’s legacy in flesh and blood. By focusing in on a moment of peace, the audience can understand that despite Danny’s death, those involved in his search and rescue were not defeated and furthermore should be inspired with the birth of his son. (see comment by Matthew Holley)
[3] Because most of the film is shot within Asra’s house, Winterbottom’s goal is to create a feeling of belonging and comfort. This level of comfort transcends the screen and envelopes its audience. While watching this short scene, Winterbottom creates a sense that the audience is actually sitting down at the dinner table with Mariane and her guests through the use of the camera and its angles. Winterbottom’s overall philosophy on filming for this movie was predicated on the assumption that by minimizing takes, one continuous and fluid sequence of events could be captured. So, by using a shoulder-mounted digital HD camera, he was able to shoot that one entire continuous scene with no breaks. By doing so, an emotion is evoked that draws the audience into what is happening on the set. The audience’s perspective is directed upon Mariane while she speaks and during this moment, over her shoulders, the looks on her guests’ faces can be seen in the reflection of the windows behind her. In a subtle manner, Winterbottom enables the film’s audience to witness the guests’ faces without actually pointing the camera on their positions. People appear to have their heads faced in a downward direction, as if sadness prohibits them from looking Mariane in the eye. Following this, the direction of the camera shifts and focuses in on several of Mariane’s friends. The solemn looks on everyone’s face at the table is most likely matched by those in the audience. The tension in the room that at first exists dissipates, though, once Mariane’s voice is heard. (see comment by Elizabeth Guzzo) (see comment by Matthew Holley)
[4] Mariane begins the dinner by announcing her gratitude for everyone’s hard work, effort, and kindness. While seemingly trying to hold back tears, she recognizes the fact that everyone truly wanted to bring Danny home, but in a triumphant manner she turns a corner, pointing out that their work has not been all for naught. Angelina Jolie’s portrayal of Mariane appears effortless. At no point can a question be made as to the sincerity of this actor’s intentions in representing the emotion of this catastrophic event for Mariane. Mariane specifies that the goal of a terrorist is, in fact, to terrorize. She goes on to say, “I am not terrorized. And you can’t be terrorized.†Her focus in this statement is to emphasize that although Daniel Pearl’s body is dead, his memory will live on and survive. By not succumbing to the psychological aspect of the terrorists’ acts, Mariane is making a greater effort to overcome their cruelties. Therefore, the mood inside the room and among all those watching is elevated. As an audience, we realize that, indeed, there is something more to be taken from this incident than grief and sorrow.
[5] The intangible gift to be received from such a horrific incident resides in the manner in which people from different walks of life, be it race, color, or creed became bound together to overcome inhumane brutality. The terrorists justified their actions in Islam, but one of the beauties of Pearl’s story lies in the fact that a Jew (Danny) connected to a Buddhist (Mariane) and a Muslim (Captain). Mariane and Captain were able to look past religious affiliations in order to attempt to try to save not a Jew but a human being. The religious foundations that the terrorists relied on to carry out their acts were rendered ineffectual because of the fact that Mariane was able to connect with Captain, a man who shared the same faith in Islam. Danny Pearl’s memory not only survives in the hearts of those who knew and learned of his story during his abduction but also through organizations like the Daniel Pearl Foundation and The Pearl Project.
[6] The mission of the Daniel Pearl Foundation is to promote cross-cultural understanding through journalism, music, and innovative communications. The principles on which the foundation is built include an uncompromised objectivity and integrity; insightful and unconventional perspective; tolerance and respect for people of all cultures; unshaken belief in the effectiveness of education and communication; and the love of music, humor, and friendship. It is through such an organization that the people who were either directly or indirectly touched by Danny’s story can contribute to something of a greater cause.
[7] The Pearl Project, a program co-directed by Asra Nomani and created within the School of Continuing Studies at Georgetown University, is another example of Pearl’s memory living on and inspiring others. The goal of The Pearl Project is to “create a permanent project to honor and carry on the work of a slain journalist or a journalist in peril.†The project will train undergraduate and graduate students in the traditions, ethics and highly skilled reporting practices of investigative reporting; promote experiential journalism pedagogy practices and become a model for other university-based investigative projects; and provide a safe haven for journalists who have experienced a lack of press freedom in the form of censorship, threat to personal safety or other methods of intimidation or recrimination. What is intrinsically valuable to a project such as this is the awareness that it raises among younger individuals who may not have been aware of Daniel Pearl’s story. Pearl’s methods of investigative journalism will be taught and administered to whomever chooses to take the course. As well, journalists abroad will be provided that “safe-haven†that men and women like Pearl and the ten others killed during that time period could have used.
[8] Like Mariane Pearl mentioned, if it were the goal of the terrorists to terrorize, then they have failed in this case. Danny’s memory lives on, and those closest to him continue to work in his name. By doing so, they will continually better the plight for those journalists with the same values and institutions that Danny Pearl possessed.
Comments
Although we never witness a funeral for Danny Pearl, this scene represents what would happen after a burial. We understand that the characters are attempting to stay strong for one another and hold back tears. At the same time, the dinner is not meant for mourning. Mariane stays strong throughout most of the entire film, and this scene is no exception. She is not wallowing in self-pity or despair, and she is not crying for her husband. She is instead celebrating his life and his bravery with friends. In her previous breakdown, we see what would happen before and during a funeral. She cannot control her emotions, and we as an audience understand that this is her time for grieving. Now, at a table surrounded by friends, is a time for celebration. She must accept what occurred and remember her husband with pride, not sympathy. In Mariane’s speech, she makes it known that she is not defeated, and her helpers should feel the same way. At this point, everyone must move forward with their own lives while keeping Danny in their hearts. They did everything they could, and it is not acceptable to remain stuck in sorrow. After Mariane’s speech, the camera shows the only child in the room. This symbolizes her own child, and it reinforces that Danny will live on.
I agree completely with the need for and the assumed intention by the director for this scene. However improbable it might seem that someone could detach themselves quickly enough from the pain after such a tragic event to be graceful and kind to everyone despite the horrific outcome, this scene is a settling moment for the viewer. The close and shifting camera angles made me feel like I was there at the table, and a bit of the anxiety that was evoked at the climax was eased as now Mariane seemed to be caressing any feelings of guilt away from her friends.
The lines Mariane speaks at the table about not being terrorized seem difficult for her to get out, and I almost wanted to question whether a person could ever truly love someone and then still hold that type of an idealistic view after her spouse had been taken from them. Heck, I know that news of the accounts had even terrorized some of the soldiers when we heard of that disgusting act. Winterbottom also gets another wonderful scene out of Angelina Jolie as her lips quiver with sincerity as she tries to make her way through her speech. I left this scene not so much with a greater appreciation for the lessons learned but with a deeper appreciation for the courage and strength that it must take loved ones to summon as they try to move forward.
