Most of you know me well enough to know I'm a total movie junkie. haha. Yet, I have a very "strange" as my mother would call this, or "boring" as most of my guy friends would call it... taste in movies. I love movies that challange me, movies that have moral themes and such that make me want to be a stronger person.
Movies that are more than gore and fighting, sappy romance and love, or even comedy and humor.
I love movies that inspire.
Recently, my best friend Molly and I had a movie night together. Considering we live on different sides of the continent, ya'll probably think I'm talking crazy. Haha, but we did. I came across an "online" film. This means the film was only released for veiwing on the internet. This film started out as a "fan film" for J.R.R. Tolkien's "The Lord of the Rings". It is a prequel film to Peter Jackson's trilogy. The film started out as a backyard project, but if you watch the film, you would never know. All the actors are proffessional actor, the computer generazation is brilliant, and the story is epic. So Molly and I, with the thanks to Youtube and Skype, watched this film together, talking and laughing as though we were in the same room. It was so fun! Yet, what made it even more special was the quality of this film's message.
For those of you who are not "Lord of the Rings" fans or are not familiar with them, sorry if I totally geek out a little bit. hehe.
The offical website of the film states: "A scattered people, the descendants of storied sea kings of the ancient West, struggle to survive in a lonely wilderness as a dark force relentlessly bends its will toward their destruction. Yet amidst these valiant, desperate people, hope remains. A royal house endures unbroken from father to son. This hour long original drama is set in the time before the War of the Ring and tells the story of the Dúnedain, the Rangers of the North, before the return of the King. Inspired by only a couple of paragraphs written by Tolkien in the appendices of the Lord of the Rings we follow Arathorn and Gilraen, the parents of Aragorn, from their first meeting through a turbulent time in their people's history."
I absolutley loved it.
Yet, it was not Aragorn's parents story that quite captured my heart and imagination. A new character introduced by the team behind "Born of Hope", called Elgarain (portrayed by Kate Madison), taught me some powerful lessons about what it means to have a selfless heart. Throughout the film, Elgarain gives and gives to those around her. A constant support and encouragment she is a most loyal friend and companion. Though hardship and pain strike, she never lets it hinder her from helping others. She values those she loves, and is willing to do her part in the protection of her people.
Elgarain displays the most selfless giving heart. In my mind I kept playing John 15:13 over and over in my head as she displays this great love in all she does. "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends."
Selfless love... was giving a whole new meaning to me through this film. Jesus too, displayed this kind of selfless love. Giving every part of Himself, so that we could have eternal life. I want to have that kind of selfless love for those who the Lord puts into my life.
Another theme in this film is related to the title. "Born of Hope", refering to the birth of Aragorn, who someday would be King and Restorer of Middle Earth. Elgarain said in an emotion part of the film, "Aragorn must live. We cannot lose our hope." It reminded me of another child, who was born of hope. Except this child, came to be the Savior of our world, and the Savior of his people. Jesus, is our hope. Just as the Dunedain lived and died for their people and their future King, so we must we. Now, I know this is just a film, but God reveals things to us in mysterious ways. He opened my eyes to what a selfless heart is, and how I want to have a selfless heart. He also revealed to me how we too, present day Christians are awaiting the return of our King, and the redemption of our people.
So if you have some free time. This film is only an hour long, but worth the watch. I would definently recommend this film, especially if your a "Lord of the Rings" fan, it's a must! Still, even if you are not, maybe it can inspire you the way it inspired me!
Official Site:
http://bornofhope.com/