Listened to the story regarding those three pastors that went into a movie theater – & were taught a valuable lesson in tolerance?
What might clergy members participate in during their own free time? Recently, I ventured with a couple of companions, each other ministers, to watch the recently released film titled I Swear. From the preview, I knew which it focused on a person experiencing Tourette syndrome. What the author had not know turned out to be the fact it chronicled an actual individual: John Davidson, who was featured in a 1989 program who later earned an MBE in recognition of his efforts to educate people regarding this syndrome as well as support others with TS.
Learning About Tourette's
Before this documentary, the majority had never known about the condition. Nearly 40 years since then, people sort of recognizes what it is, but it remains treated as a joke – notably on stand-up comedy.
From previews, it seemed that this movie was going to try to balance through both capitalising on the clear comic potential of a person shouting highly offensive phrases at awkward situations and striving to continue Davidson’s efforts in educating the public through a respectful and sensitive approach. Hopefully this isn't a spoiler to mention it was successful in both aspects – however naturally this became clear after watching.
A Surprising Cinema Experience
As the feature was starting, a youth sitting ahead from us unexpectedly exclaimed a string of obscenities. At first, it seemed this was a gag – although a joke quite offensive. But, it soon became clear that this was someone genuinely experiencing Tourette's: a teenager with a parent.
And as the story unfolded, the same with the young man – and there was no visible intervention by either his dad nor anybody in the theater. I felt somewhat torn. Clearly, this represented an important moment for the boy and his father to watch their certainly very tough existence depicted in a film, and I was pleased which they got this experience. But was it OK if we and everyone else in the cinema could barely understand the audio due to the noise? Could the venue have been able to arrange a dedicated session – as several theaters often provide for those with conditions in general?
A Moral Dilemma
I feel embarrassed to admit that I actually considered complaining – however, not to the parent himself (I’m not a monster), but to the theater management of the cinema. However, each of the author's obviously kinder colleagues appeared to accepted to the situation. Plus, I recalled there was an fictional yet memorable incident from Extras when Ricky Gervais’s the protagonist objects regarding a child making too much noise during a meal, unaware which the child has a genetic condition. He endured the ensuing public criticism – and my offence could have been even more inappropriate since I knew the boy literally had no choice.
A Profound Realization
Thankfully, my conscience prevailed and something extraordinary happened during the next hour and a half. Initially, I simply got used to the previously bothersome sounds. Later, as the film reached its climax and we saw the profoundly empowering effect which Davidson’s Tourette’s camps offered on many participants, I experienced awed and deeply honored to experience this event with those who’d actually lived it not only as actors – although Robert Aramayo’s portrayal as Davidson was superb and in my view, award-worthy.
I’ve had comparable situations in the cinema previously – watching The King’s Speech alongside an acquaintance with a speech impediment and his language pathologist wife, or meeting actual veterans of the Normandy landings in the foyer after Saving Private Ryan – yet that experience was on another level. It was like an immersive experience, but instead of physical effects and sprays of water spraying the audience, the individuals were present alongside saying, “This is more than entertainment. This is my truth.” And then swearing. Spunk for milk.
An Uplifting Resolution
So I didn’t complain. As the movie concluded, I actually spoke with the teenager – aged 14 – along with his father, dad, for the privilege of sharing the space, which without a doubt made our experience even more profound than a standard screening. We then had a long chat and took a selfie together – at that moment we all yelled a curse in solidarity with the boy.
Final Thoughts
It is urged that everyone to go and see this brilliant production and should you’re lucky enough to find yourself in the same theater with someone like Joe, {don’t be a nim
