one more chance

Monday, December 12, 2005 T: 18 53

Despite many blunt comments about the pathetic nature of our local Chinese serials, especially when compared to those directed by Hong Kongers, many would still be able to appreciate our local movie productions, perhaps much thanks to Jack Neo and his ability to engage public opinions and current affair issues in ways hilarious and more agreeable manner. Till now, I’m still struggling to wonder if the government actually is in favor of the movies He has produced, though it’s an observed fact that the government has much control of our Singapore media.

Nevertheless, Neo’s latest movie – namely One more Chance or Shan ge hao ren – did addressed a key issue in society today. And as a viewer, I must say I am touched, both in the heart and the mind; moved by the portrayal of the relationships among the characters, provoked thoughtfully by the issues the movie highlights. In a nutshell, the movie describes how three men found themselves behind bars and proceed to attempt to live a life at least worthy of being called righteous in morality. Yet ex-convicts they are, the criminal record remains a permanent blemish on their resume, almost screaming out loud the condemnation of their souls and personhood. Sent to jail they are, punished justly for their mistakes, yet still sent to their deaths by society – whose despise and harsh rejection almost render them no longer humans, no longer useful.

Will they one day be normally accepted? In our midst perhaps, Christian surroundings it can be, there can be apprehension in interacting with people way below our intellect. And if so, how much more harder it may be for ex-convicts to be forgiven for their transgressions? It is no wonder that many return to their own ways, yes, to be returned to where they once belong, yet at least that world can accept them, where at least security can somehow be found, where at least people can look at them in the eye, saved for the blood-thirsting rotan for repetitive offenders for their apparent adamancy and stubbornness. Most of the time though, where else can they go?

I think Neo did a very good job highlighting this to the public through the production, at the very least be able to spark off a certain level of guilt and self-reflection, if negative condemnation of them cannot be eradicated over night. Proudly, I’ll too praise the Yellow Ribbon Project, initiated by Christians, which seeks to give the chance ex-convicts sorely need. It would be my prayer that they can gradually be accepted by people, my pleasure all the more if they have come to know the true and living God who is capable of putting to death their own self and spur them towards goodness and perfection.

After all, they are humans too, born with a body like million others have, equipped with the mind and heart, made in God’s image, having seen at the very least the general revelations of God, what we would call conscience. A criminal after all is very much like every one of us, except that he has put to action his sinful thoughts, except that he got caught. As Christians, surely we would forgive as the Lord has forgiven after all. After all, who are we to judge the lives of others? Ours may not be much better as well, just masked by hypocritism and false fronts. Wretched we are, says Paul, yet thanks be to God who has displayed His awesome love and inconceivable grace through the death and resurrection of His son, whom He love too.