by Addison Cooper, LCSW
As we head into the summer, we often also head into the theater. I remember one summer, seeking shelter from the 100-degree Southern California heat inside an air-conditioned cinema that was showing Underdog. I don’t remember the movie so much as I remember that our only reason for seeing it was to beat the heat. I’ve since started viewing movies through a more intentional lens for The New Social Worker and for Adoption at the Movies, but I still enjoy the theater, and I still enjoy air conditioning.
Here are three recent films that might be interesting viewing for social workers this summer:
Avengers: Infinity War. The Marvel Cinematic Universe has spent the last decade building up to this battle, where a range of heroes and factions overcome their differences and combine their forces to face an ultimately dangerous villain, Thanos. Thanos aims to eliminate half of all living creatures throughout the universe, because he has seen the desolation that overpopulation causes on his home world. The heroes—dozens of superheroes from Captain America and Iron Man to Black Panther, Thor, and the Guardians of the Galaxy—fight desperately in an attempt to thwart Thanos’ plan. This record-setting film left the theater buzzing more than any film I’ve screened so far.
Without spoiling the film, there are some aspects that could be interesting to pass through a social work lens. It’s encouraging to see new relationships being formed and diverse people working together for a common good. It’s interesting to see how the film deals with sadness and loss. The villain raises a particularly interesting opportunity for thought. Thanos feels that his murderous intentions are justified because he is trying to serve a greater, universal good. Thanos could stand as an example of someone intending good but causing harm because he doesn’t properly assess and value the cost of his solution. Sometimes, the systems that social workers work in cause pain or harm in an effort to do good. What can we do on macro and micro levels to minimize or even eliminate the harm? What can we do to mitigate the pain?
A Wrinkle in Time
A Wrinkle in Time. Shortly after Alex and Kate Murry adopt the very precocious Charles Wallace, Alex disappears. Several years later, Charles Wallace, his older sister Meg, and Kate all miss Alex but do not know where or why he has gone. A mysterious stranger appears and leads Charles Wallace, Meg, and a friend on a journey to find their missing father. Along the way, the kids meet Mrs. Who, a celestial being who primarily speaks her thoughts by quoting other authors. One of Mrs. Who’s quotes stuck with me after the film. She said, “The wound is where the light enters you.” It’s an interesting thought, and I think a relevant one to social work.
Sometimes, our own painful experiences have led us into the helping professions. We also believe that our clients can overcome the pain they experience and emerge stronger on the other side. As social workers, we’re influenced by a range of people—writers, professors, co-workers, clients, and people we know in our personal lives. What are the thoughts and understandings that we bring into our social work practice? Where do they come from, and what impact do they have on our work?
Ready Player One. In a dystopian future, people of all ages escape into an online world known as “The Oasis,” where they can be anything and anyone. When the founder of The Oasis dies, he sets off a worldwide treasure hunt for control of The Oasis, and the chance for such power brings out the best—and the worst—in people. A teenager named Wade Watts is the first to make progress in the hunt, and that attracts the attention of a large, evil corporation. Wade and his online friends must meet in the real world to ensure that their beloved virtual world doesn’t fall into evil hands. Ready Player One is an action-oriented, fun, but not faithful adaptation of a well-loved book.
Our clients (and perhaps we ourselves) spend many hours online, and our online experiences often affect our real-world feelings. This might be particularly true for any clients who have experienced cyberbullying. As you enjoy Ready Player One, think about how large a part online life plays in the day-to-day lives of your clients—and in your own life. What are the benefits? What are the risks?
Happy summer! See you in the theater!
Addison Cooper, LCSW, is the founder of Adoption at the Movies (http://www.AdoptionAtTheMovies.com). His book, Adoption at the Movies, is available at Amazon. Find Addison at: http://facebook.com/AdoptionAtTheMovies