"For those who live in large urban communities with young immigrants from war-torn countries, Everybody's Children speaks with a powerful voice. Subtitles underscore Saillieu's accented English and Joyce's French –one cannot help but admire the strength of these two young people who try so hard to make their way, independently, in a new and strange, country.”
Monika Delmos opens the documentary with the image of a plane landing at what can be presumed to be an airport. This beginning scenes not only sets the tone of the film, but also gives the viewer an indication of what the film is actually about. The film follows the journey of Saillieu and Joyce, two minors who landed in Toronto in an attempt to seek refuge in Canada from their countries. Both Saillieu and Joyce landed in Canada with limited resources, and found themselves highly dependent upon institutions such as The Salvation Army and Matthew House. In an interview, Joyce explained that she left Congo to seek refuge from prostitution. On the other hand, Sillieu left Sierra Leone with the help of the Red Cross after almost being killed. These two individuals, although from different backgrounds, share a similar story, faith, and most importantly the perseverance to rise above the negative experienced that marked their pasts. Above all, what stood out to me upon watching this documentary is the fact that both Saillieu and Joyce, although from different countries, understand and respect Canadian identity. I believe that most of us take for granted that we are Canadian, and live in a country like Canada. It can easily be argued that both individuals portrayed in the film are grateful for their opportunity to live in a country that values multiculturalism. Although they both deal with issues such as language barriers, and lack of funds to sustain themselves, they view Canada as an outlet for success and opportunities. As mentioned in the film, Sillieu wishes to become a firefighter because he wants to help people. Their individual journeys are remarkable, and inspiring. As a teacher candidate, I believe this film particularly pertains to the urban cohort because, it shows how someone can have a significant impact in the life of a child. As seen in this film, sometimes all you need someone who genuinely cares for you, and looks out for your best interest. In my opinion, the most powerful moment of the documentary comes when Sillieu says: “For me, being here, it’s like heaven.” Reference: CM Magazine: Everybody's Children. (2012, November 12). Retrieved October 23, 2015, from http://umanitoba.ca/outreach/cm/vol17/no11/everybodyschildren.html
3 Comments
Mena
10/28/2015 09:11:53 pm
Definitely agree with you Brooke, we do indeed often take for granted all the blessings we have here in Canada and don't come to realize them until we learn of the struggles faced by others. I hope as teachers we become "that" person who could offer these individuals the genuine care they need to continue.
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11/6/2015 06:00:04 am
"Sometimes all you need someone who genuinely cares for you, and looks out for your best interest."
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Linda Radford
11/27/2015 03:04:06 am
Your emphasis on being genuine here is really important. I was a session at Ridgemont with the ELL/ESL consultant. It was clear to me that her work in the classroom made a difference to the kids she worked with because she was so genuinely concerned with how what she did in class would impact their lives in the long run.
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