The movie 'The Fifth Element' came out nearly 17 years ago. A cult classic, this fun sci-fi movie revolved around a very interesting premise.
Fearing a great evil that kept recurring on Earth every few centuries, aliens collected four essential elements (representing air, water, fire and land) which when combined with 'the fifth element' in the form of a human would create a divine light that could ward off the evil and save Earth. Afraid of how mankind would use such a weapon if it were left in their hands, the aliens took it with them promising to return when the time came. Eventually, as the time neared, they did dutifully return only to be ambushed by people aligned with the planet-destroying evil, with only a limb of the fifth element surviving the crash.
From that limb, the fifth element was recreated by docs on Earth in the form of a 'perfect woman' (Milla Jovovich) who while being agile and strong, did not know anything about her surroundings. Her chance encounter with a taxi cab driver (played to perfection by the Bruce Willis, laying on the charm and wit that was his trademark from the old 'Moonlighting' days) and his earnest assistance to help her succeed in finding the other four elements to save the world formed the crux of this space opera.
While watching the news the past few days, all I saw was murder. Genocide, assaults, air strikes... call it whatever you want but in the end, it was just murder. Some did it for land. Others did it for religion. Some did it for fun even. Perhaps even more disturbing were the images I did not see. The 'powers of the world' and the media whose moral duty it was to help notify them of wrongdoing just sat mum and refused to acknowledge it as innocent children were used as target practice and commercial planes were struck down for no apparent reason but to cause death to people who could not defend themselves.
And suddenly, I was brought back to this movie which I had seen decades ago. A scene in the movie which had lodged itself subconsciously in my mind back then, had been turned on again in my mind's eye.
It is that moment when the only woman who could save the world clicks on an information terminal and types in the word 'WAR'. As she watches the history of Earth and all that we have committed in the name of mankind, she breaks down and cries. When the time comes, she refuses to save the world.
Leeloo Dallas Multipass: "What's the use in saving life when you see what you do with it?"
I can't help but feel that we are living in that moment of the movie right now. If there is a Supreme Being up there watching our actions, would you blame him/her for being entirely disillusioned with us? Forget talk of omnipotence for a second and just give this God a mind like you and me... can you not visualize the tears in those eyes and indecision in that mind? If you were in those shoes, would you not consider giving up on humanity?
Leeloo Dallas Multipass: "What's the use in saving life when you see what you do with it?"
Korben Dallas: Yes. Like love. That's good. That's a good example. Love. Love is worth saving.
Leeloo Dallas Multipass: I don't know love... I don't know love. I was built to protect, not to love.
Korben Dallas: No no no! You are wrong. I need you... I need you very much.
Leeloo Dallas Multipass: Why?
Sufficed to say, his answer helps save the world.
If only we could remember that basic fact: That instead of fighting over geographical boundaries we created decades ago or whose God is more awesome based on his origins centuries ago, we focused on loving each other in the here and now. If only everyone was born in an atmosphere of love instead of bloodshed and hatred... if only everyone had someone who told them those magical words we all yearn to hear - "You are wrong. I need you... I need you very much."
If only we lived in a world where people did not have to repeat Leeloo's words: "I don't know love."
From that limb, the fifth element was recreated by docs on Earth in the form of a 'perfect woman' (Milla Jovovich) who while being agile and strong, did not know anything about her surroundings. Her chance encounter with a taxi cab driver (played to perfection by the Bruce Willis, laying on the charm and wit that was his trademark from the old 'Moonlighting' days) and his earnest assistance to help her succeed in finding the other four elements to save the world formed the crux of this space opera.
Leeloo Dallas Multpass: Me fifth element - supreme being. Me protect you.
While watching the news the past few days, all I saw was murder. Genocide, assaults, air strikes... call it whatever you want but in the end, it was just murder. Some did it for land. Others did it for religion. Some did it for fun even. Perhaps even more disturbing were the images I did not see. The 'powers of the world' and the media whose moral duty it was to help notify them of wrongdoing just sat mum and refused to acknowledge it as innocent children were used as target practice and commercial planes were struck down for no apparent reason but to cause death to people who could not defend themselves.
And suddenly, I was brought back to this movie which I had seen decades ago. A scene in the movie which had lodged itself subconsciously in my mind back then, had been turned on again in my mind's eye.
It is that moment when the only woman who could save the world clicks on an information terminal and types in the word 'WAR'. As she watches the history of Earth and all that we have committed in the name of mankind, she breaks down and cries. When the time comes, she refuses to save the world.
Leeloo Dallas Multipass: "What's the use in saving life when you see what you do with it?"
I can't help but feel that we are living in that moment of the movie right now. If there is a Supreme Being up there watching our actions, would you blame him/her for being entirely disillusioned with us? Forget talk of omnipotence for a second and just give this God a mind like you and me... can you not visualize the tears in those eyes and indecision in that mind? If you were in those shoes, would you not consider giving up on humanity?
Leeloo Dallas Multipass: "What's the use in saving life when you see what you do with it?"
Korben Dallas: You're right. You're right. But there are some things... very nice things worth saving; beautiful things. Beautiful things.
Leeloo Dallas Multpass: Like love?Korben Dallas: Yes. Like love. That's good. That's a good example. Love. Love is worth saving.
Leeloo Dallas Multipass: I don't know love... I don't know love. I was built to protect, not to love.
Korben Dallas: No no no! You are wrong. I need you... I need you very much.
Leeloo Dallas Multipass: Why?
Sufficed to say, his answer helps save the world.
If only we could remember that basic fact: That instead of fighting over geographical boundaries we created decades ago or whose God is more awesome based on his origins centuries ago, we focused on loving each other in the here and now. If only everyone was born in an atmosphere of love instead of bloodshed and hatred... if only everyone had someone who told them those magical words we all yearn to hear - "You are wrong. I need you... I need you very much."
If only we lived in a world where people did not have to repeat Leeloo's words: "I don't know love."
If it was only love binding us all together, then the world would be a much better place to live! I haven't seen the movie but reading about it here, I want to!
ReplyDeletetrust me.. watch the movie. Its quite fun.. doesnt it take itself seriously most of the time but has some deep moment too nonetheless.
DeleteIf only love was the basis of this world...unfortunately we keep fighting over meaningless things and such devastation as a result of that...After reading this I think I'm going to watch this....
ReplyDeleteabsolutely meaningless violence .. thats whats exhausting me mentally.. no sense behind d flight incident. even less behind killing small children running around...
DeleteLove the dialogue..its about love. Well said, Roshan. Our heart is not in the right place since countries are more concerned about strategic geo-politics than condemning this barbaric act. We've lost it as human being and dunno how this world will end. May be we will destroy each.
ReplyDeletethere is honestly a very high likelihood now.. earlier atleast the other countries would openly demand to put a stop to this or the culprits would own up to the crime when faced with evidence. now even with evidence staring d world in the face, people just ignore it... how do we recover from that point..
DeleteA very relevant post. Any news these days are bad news. I fear to open the newspaper in the mornings. Some haunt for days. Then I see the smile on the face of my little one and I realize the world is not just about war and gore. There is love as well. And it is the most powerful feeling in the world indeed.
ReplyDeleteLiked it Roshan. Hope to see many more such posts.
i keep changing d channels every time at home away from news channels. I used to be a big news buff but now i cant stand it.. rape, murder, rape, murder... never ends.
DeleteI absolutely loved your reference to the movie. I remember the scene when she types war and cries. It's so tragic to see what the world has come to.
ReplyDeleteI too remembered that scene while watching the news.. the absolute loss of faith she has for humanity is something that anyone new to the world would feel seeing the destruction and lack of resolve of anybody else to help those who are stuck in between the whims of armed madmen
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