Amazing Grace(PART 2 OF 3)
Amazing Grace
(2006 film)
Amazing Grace is a 2006 film directed by Michael Apted about the campaign against slave trade in the United Kingdom, led by William Wilberforce, who was responsible for steering anti-slave trade legislation through the British parliament. The title is a reference to the hymn "Amazing Grace". The film also recounts the experiences of John Newton as a crewman on a slave ship and subsequent religious conversion, which inspired his writing of the poem later used in the hymn. Newton is portrayed as a major influence on Wilberforce and the abolition movement.
Plot
The film begins in 1797 with William Wilberforce severely ill and taking a holiday in Bath, Somerset, with his cousin, Henry Thornton. It is here that William is introduced to his future wife, Barbara Spooner. Although he at first resists, she convinces him to tell her about his life.
The story flashes back 15 years to 1782, and William recounts the events that led him to where he is now. Beginning as an ambitious and popular Member of Parliament (MP), William was persuaded by his friends William Pitt, Thomas Clarkson, Hannah More, and others to take on the dangerous issue of the British slave trade. This led him to become highly unpopular in the House of Commons amongst the MPs representing vested interests of the slave trade in London, Bristol, and Liverpool.
Exhausted, and frustrated that he was unable to change anything in the government, William becomes physically ill (in the film he is depicted as suffering from chronic colitis), which brings the story back up to 1797. Having virtually given up hope, William considers leaving politics forever. Barbara convinces him to keep fighting because if he does not, there will be no one else capable of doing so. A few days afterward, William and Barbara marry.
William, with a renewed hope for success, picks up the fight against slave trade where he had previously left off, aided by Thornton, Clarkson, and James Stephen.
In time, after the 20-year campaign and many attempts to bring legislation forward, he is eventually responsible for a bill being passed through Parliament in 1807, which abolishes the slave trade in the British Empire forever.
(Note: Pictures from the Denman library)
Source:
Free encyclopedia Wikipedia
Wow! You're deeply absorbed in the story behind the "Amazing Grace," aren't you?
Yes, I am.
But why?
Well...Diane, you mentioned it in your mail. Besides, I was thinking of the Japanese situation.
The Japanese situation? What is that?
You know, Diane, there are no more slave trades in this world, but still some Japanese people are not free.
What do you mean by that? Don't tell me that there are some slaves in Japan.
Oh, no...as far as I know, there are no slaves in Japan at all. However, there are some mentally-enslaved people in Japan.
Kato, I still don't understand what you're talking about.
Well, look at the following statistics.
Wow! So many people die by suicide in Japan, don't they?
Yes, they do. There have been more than 30,000 people who commit suicide every year for these ten years---almost 100 people die by suicide a day---four people an hour.
Oh, what a pity!
Besides, some people are starving to death.
Kato, you must be kidding! Starving to death in Japan?
Here is a proof:
SOURCE: JAPAN TODAY
I can hardly believe this!
You see, Diane...this is the kind of abominable situation I'm talking about. In this world, there's no slavery. So, everybody is entitled to enjoy his or her free life. Yet, some Japanese are enslaved to a certain death-wish. I'm certain that there's something awfully wrong about Japanese society and politics.
What's that?
Well...that's why I'm writing some articles about pitiful Japanese situations.
Are you?
Yes, I am. Anyway, take a look at these pictures.
Compared to the Japanese social and cultural climates, I would say, Vancouver is a paradise, though we don't have many sunny days on this British Colombian coast.
Oh, Kato...you're again bringing up your kind of paradise.
Diane...you still consider Vancouver to be a city of riotous people, don't you?
Well...
Anyway, Diane, I'm glad you've got a network of happy and friendly people.
Do you really mean it, Kato?
Yes, I do. You forwarded me the following "Amazing Grace" mail.
You also forwarded me the following funny pictures.
I really appreciate the above message:
May your mornings bring joy,
and your evenings bring peace.
May your troubles grow less
as your blessings increase!
【Himiko's Monologue】
Yes, yes, yes, I love the above message, too.
As Kato mentioned, there's something awfully wrong with the Japanese politics, which produces miserable situations, where some people commit suicide or are starving to death.
What a pity!
As one of the Japasene citizens, I think each Japanese should take an action to improve the sad situations.
Don't you think so?
Paradise is one thing; romance is another.
Come to think of it, I've never met a decent man in my net life.
How come I'm always a loner?
I wish I could meet a nice gentleman at the library in my town as Kato met Diane.
Well, they say, there is a way where there is a will.
Have a nice day!
Bye bye ...
(To be continued)