Movies are a wonderful form of entertainment, but more importantly they are perhaps the best vehicle for social and political commentary there is because they are so accessible to the masses. This year we have gotten some excellent commentary from films like Sinners and Mickey 17 and now Belén.
Belén is one of the foreign films that is being given a lot of awards attention this year, and for good reason. The entire premise of the film is that a young woman suffers from a miscarriage and gets sent to jail for an illegal abortion.
These lawyers are desperately trying to get this girl some help but the powers that be seem determined to convict this girl of a crime that she didn’t commit.
And this little girl is great at questioning the world around her. She pushes her moms beliefs. She questions the existence of god at the dinner table, something there is no way I, or anyone else in my family, would be able to do.
My favorite films will always be the ones with something to say. If you aren’t attempting to affect some kind of change then what good are you? What is the point of making something with no substance? Granted very few movies like that exist, but the purely for entertainment crowd is the reason the general public is so fucking stupid.
“I came to the hospital for help and ended up in jail”...wow. There is so much quiet power in this script. In the way silence is used, in what the characters don’t say.
This public defender is such a waste of space. She didn’t even try, she’s a seriously terrible lawyer. 8 years in jail for an abortion (that she didn’t get) is insane. This is it, it's what we’re headed for.
This poor woman spent two years in jail just to be wrongfully convicted. The press turned on the lawyers and published her case so now everyone in jail with her knows what she was accused of.
Ew they brought in a man to argue with this lawyer. Calling legalizing abortion a trend is insane. So is comparing human beings to people. Her crash out was entirely valid, why are we laughing at the comments on this talk show like it's a hehe haha situation?
Giving these women masks so they feel safe speaking out was a genius move. This film really bears a lot of similarities to Women Talking for me and it has absolutely nothing to do with the subject matter. They are both quieter movies that deal with extremely heavy material. But the similarities lie in the execution. The cinematography of both frames the more intense moments in a way that is just slightly unsettling so that the audience is as uncomfortable as the characters. They both also allow for the narrative to breathe. Meaning there isn’t dialogue for the sake of dialogue there is only talking when it's absolutely necessary and the rest of the time the actors are ACTING. Way harder job to do in silence.
Oh so now we’re trying to kill this poor girl? Hilarious how the pro life people have no problem wishing death upon actual, real, alive human beings…so weird.
Oh what an incredible shot, having Belén see the crowd that has gathered in her defence, we are literally seeing the fight in her eyes. Brilliant.
During Deza’s speech I was overcome with emotion. The crying kind of snuck up on me and came out of nowhere. Quiet brilliance is the best way I can describe this film. It ended with justice and hope and it is a film that is going to stay with me. 10/10. Please, please watch this one.
About the Creator
Alexandrea Callaghan
Certified nerd, super geek and very proud fangirl.
Keep reading
More stories from Alexandrea Callaghan and writers in Geeks and other communities.
Mickey 17
Mickey 17 was on the must watch list for last year but time got away from me. We are once again playing catch up before awards season, I promise I will start doing these in a timely manner this year! This was a film we knew we wanted to see. Robert Pattinson is actually an incredible actor who sometimes still gets caught up in Twilight discourse in an attempt to discredit his skills. That combined with it being a Bong Joon Ho movie made it highly anticipated.
By Alexandrea Callaghan5 days ago in Geeks
Book Review: "Human Monsters: A Horror Anthology" by Various Authors
Yes, it's horror again. I'm feeling kind of down and whenever I'm down I read horror because it makes me feel better. Have you heard about that study that states people who are in depression should watch and read horror in order to make themselves feel better? Yeah, I checked it out some time ago - you should too. Human Monsters is exactly what you think it is, it is about monsters who are human - those who lurk in the normal world, not in the shadows, not in the darkness - they stand right in front of us. They are us. Let's go through my favourite stories in the anthology...
By Annie Kapur19 days ago in Geeks
Why Do 250 Million Christians Celebrate Christmas on January 7?
While December 25 is widely recognized as Christmas Day around the world, an estimated 250 million Christians observe the holiday on January 7. This variation may seem surprising, but it has deep roots in history, theology, and calendar traditions. Understanding why this happens requires exploring the differences between calendars, religious customs, and cultural practices across the Christian world. The Julian vs. Gregorian Calendar The primary reason for the January 7 celebration is a difference in calendars. Most Western countries and churches follow the Gregorian calendar, introduced by Pope Gregory XIII in 1582 to correct the drift of the earlier Julian calendar. The Julian calendar, established by Julius Caesar in 46 BCE, miscalculated the solar year by 11 minutes. Over centuries, this tiny discrepancy accumulated, causing dates of astronomical events, like the spring equinox, to shift. The Gregorian reform corrected the drift, skipping 10 days in October 1582. However, not all Christian communities adopted the new calendar immediately. Many Eastern Orthodox churches, particularly in countries like Russia, Ukraine, Serbia, Egypt, and Ethiopia, continue to follow the Julian calendar for liturgical purposes. Because of the 13-day difference between the Julian and Gregorian calendars, December 25 in the Julian calendar aligns with January 7 on the Gregorian calendar. Hence, Orthodox Christians celebrate Christmas on January 7. Religious Traditions and Church Practices Beyond calendars, theological and liturgical practices influence the celebration. For Orthodox Christians, the Nativity feast is preceded by a period of fasting, prayer, and preparation, similar to Advent in Western Christianity but often lasting 40 days, known as the Nativity Fast. This period emphasizes reflection, humility, and spiritual readiness. The timing also aligns with historical traditions in the Eastern Church. Some ancient Christian communities, including the Coptic and Ethiopian Orthodox Churches, maintained the Julian calendar’s dating of significant religious festivals. Over centuries, these practices became deeply ingrained, intertwining faith, identity, and cultural heritage. Cultural Significance Across Countries Celebrating Christmas on January 7 is not merely a liturgical matter; it is also a cultural marker. In Russia, for example, Christmas was suppressed under Soviet rule, but the tradition persisted privately. Today, it is celebrated with church services, family gatherings, and traditional foods like kutia, a sweet grain dish. In Ethiopia, Christmas, known locally as Genna, is celebrated with a midnight mass and vibrant festivities that often include processions and traditional games. Similarly, in Egypt, the Coptic Orthodox Church observes Christmas with a 43-day fast leading up to the feast, followed by a communal meal and religious ceremonies. In Serbia and other Balkan countries, Orthodox Christians celebrate Božić, their version of Christmas, on January 7, accompanied by unique customs like lighting the badnjak (oak log) and attending church services. These celebrations reinforce community bonds and reflect centuries-old traditions passed down through generations. Misconceptions and Global Awareness Many people assume that Christmas is universally celebrated on December 25, but the reality is more nuanced. The January 7 celebrations highlight the diversity of Christian traditions and remind the world that faith practices are not monolithic. Despite differences in dates, the core themes of Christmas—peace, joy, family, and spiritual reflection—remain consistent across Christian denominations. Modern Relevance Today, the dual celebrations of Christmas illustrate how history, religion, and culture intersect. January 7 Christmas has also become increasingly visible in global media and travel, with Orthodox communities opening their doors to visitors eager to experience their unique traditions. It serves as a reminder that holidays are not just about dates on a calendar—they are living expressions of history, faith, and identity. Conclusion The fact that 250 million Christians celebrate Christmas on January 7 is a fascinating example of how history shapes religious life. The Julian calendar’s enduring influence, combined with centuries of Orthodox tradition, explains why the holiday occurs on a different date than in Western Christianity. From Russia to Ethiopia, Serbia to Egypt, the celebration brings communities together, honoring faith, family, and cultural heritage. Ultimately, whether December 25 or January 7, Christmas remains a universal symbol of hope, unity, and the enduring human desire to celebrate life and love. Understanding the reasons behind the different dates allows us to appreciate the rich diversity within Christianity and recognize the many ways faith and tradition continue to shape our world.
By Fiazahmedbrohi 4 days ago in Geeks
Day 4 of Quitting
If this is how sobriety feels, maybe it’s better to go through life a little buzzed… this, along with other hits like, I want to kill myself, I wish I was dead, and I’m going to throw myself off a bridge have been the only thoughts on rotation these past few days. I promise myself that if, in a month, I still feel like this (‘this’ meaning despondent, full of rage, and simultaneously numb) I can go back to smoking. Until mid-February though? Nicotine is off the table.
By sleepy drafts4 days ago in Longevity
Comments
There are no comments for this story
Be the first to respond and start the conversation.