Bella

The understated title of this independent film strikes deep into the heart of a highly controversial issue. Bella is the namesake of a child who makes only a small appearance at the end of the film, but the symbolic innuendo of Bella sets the underlying theme of the entire film. Simply stated, this film addresses the issues of life and the value behind each individual life in a way that allows viewers to dig as shallow or deep as they want into the significance of life and how one person can change the life of another if they take the time to listen. Although the film deals with this idea of gained life and lost life and no matter what your political views are, life and the value that is carried in each cannot be denied.

But this is not what I took away from the film. I cannot stop thinking about the fact that people are suffering. Every individual is hurting, and their utmost desire is to share in their affliction with someone else. Both of these characters share only one day together, but in that day they are able to share their pain and bear one another's burdens. In essence, this is the life Christ has called us to, and what every single human desires. José doesn’t speak much, but he’s there to listen. Acknowledging the suffering of others and their desire to share is how we become Christ to those around us. José asks a few questions when necessary, but ultimately he just cares about Nina and people in general. And in this world that is all business, where time is money, and money measures success, one man’s decision to screw work for a day and spend it with someone who suffers alone, changes both of their lives. José is who Christ calls us to be in this world. He sees the importance in each life he comes across, whether it’s the cooks who work alongside him in the restaurant, Nina the pregnant waitress, or even Bella, he makes a connection and validates the importance of each individual in this world.

For this one man, a life saved helps him cope with another life lost. Everyone dies, it’s true. Only God knows when or how and it’s one of the only things in this day and age that we still cannot control. In a world where we cannot control death, who are we to attempt to control life? This movie explores the effect that life, and in turn death causes, and ascertains that what gets us through it all are the people who care to know about it.

Check it out for yourself, visit www.bellathemovie.com for more information.