Barabbas (1961); Runtime: 137 minutes

This Hollywood epic Biblical-Roman-historical drama, based on Pär Lagerkvist’s novel, provides a nuanced exploration of the complex spiritual struggle of its central character Barabbas, providing a profound meditation on the struggle between belief and doubt. Recreating the post-crucifixion period in Jewish-Roman history, the movie highlights the themes of a man's search for faith, meaning, and redemption in the face of immense guilt and an indifferent, brutal world. 
 The Gospels present Barabbas variously as a rioter, murderer and bandit, whom Pontius Pilate offers to the hostile crowd that was demanding crucifixion of Jesus, hoping they would choose Jesus to be released on the Passover. Barabbas’s life takes a turn at the trial of Jesus before Pontius Pilate when he is released in place of Jesus, and Jesus is sent to be crucified. The movie opens here and follows Barabbas witnessing the crucifixion and shaken up by the experience of the “darkness” that falls over the land during the event.

He returns to his former life of crime haunted by the survivor's guilt and the memory of the innocent man who died in his place. He hears rumours of the resurrected Jesus and the birth of a new sect that worships him. Among them is his former mistress, Rachel, who preaches Christ and is later stoned to death by the Jewish authorities for alleged blasphemy. Rachel’s martyrdom affects him deeply. During an attempted robbery, Barabbas is recaptured and exiled to the sulphur mines of Sicily to engage in brutal slavery. There he is chained to Sahak, a devout Christian, who befriends him.  Barabbas is skeptical of Sahak’s faith. During a horrific earthquake and mine collapse, the two miraculously survive. They are taken to Rome, train as gladiators under the sadistic Torvald during the reign of Emperor Nero. Barabbas proves becomes a great fighter despite the spiritual struggle haunting him. Haunted by guilt and unable to grasp the love and sacrifice of Christ, he does not accept the faith but is curious about it.

As a gladiator, Barabbas seeks meaning in violence. He witnesses the death of his companion in the coliseum and in a brutal combat with his formidable enemy Torvald, defeats and kills him.
The climactic scenes are set against the background of the Great Fire of Rome under Nero. Having heard Christian teachings that the world will end in fire, Barabbas attempts to set more buildings ablaze, believing he is helping Christ to remake the world. He is captured with other Christians. Among them he meets Apostle Peter who displaces the violent expectations of a Messiah with the peaceful, sacrificial nature of Jesus’ message. Sentenced to crucifixion with others, Barabbas in his final moments on the cross embraces faith, his last words an ambiguous surrender, mirroring Jesus who substituted him decades earlier.

A Map of The World (1999): Runtime: 127 minutes

Director:  Scott Elliott

Cast: Sigourney Weaver, Julianne Moore, David Strathairn, Louise Fletcher, Arliss Howard, Ron Lea, and Chloe Sevigny.

The movie is an adaptation of Jane Hamilton’s novel; this is partly a family depicting struggles of an American mother and wife set against a rural community that unjustly ostracizes her and her family over an accidental death of a child under her care. It also throws light on the workings of the legal system and of relationships in family and society under stress.

The story is presented from the viewpoint of Alice Goodwin, a school nurse and mother of two girls and wife of a farmer in Wisconsin. At the beginning, we see Alice as a confident and somewhat scattered school nurse, busy mother and wife, not fully fitted into her various roles. She does not enjoy her life on a farm in Wisconsin, which her husband Howard is experimenting with. Though at heart she is a good person, Alice is easily irritated and speaks without discretion upsetting others.  

She takes care of the 2-year-old Lizzy who is Alice’s best friend Theresa Collins’ daughter. Tragedy strikes when Lizzy almost drowns in their farmhouse pond, and is taken to the hospital but dies. Though no one knows how it happened, Alice is stricken with guilt and grief. Unexpectedly, she is arrested for child abuse and jailed, awaiting trial.

The drowning incident creates tension and guilt in their friendship. Alice struggles to connect with Theresa, who pulls away. Alice's affection for Lizzy is evident; the girl's death wounds her conscience. The community ostracizes her family. Her mother-in-law and husband are her only help in this dire situation. Put among women convicts and under trials, she is exposed to harshness, mockery and insults from the cell mates too. Howard struggling to cope with the situation arranges a defense lawyer. Howard is Alice’s rock, supporting her through the traumatic events. As they navigate the challenges together, their bond grows stronger.

The trial scene showcases Alice's quirky but honest nature, which often leads to misunderstandings. It exposes her vulnerability and inner struggle. The trial highlights the hysteria and workings of the legal system and its tendency to sensationalize and distort events, leading to a miscarriage of justice.  Though acquitted, the experience leaves Alice and Howard realizing that their lives can never be fully mended.

As a mother and caregiver Alice has to re-evaluate her priorities and values. Through the trauma and isolation, reflecting on her past and relationships, she gains a deeper understanding of her strength and vulnerability. She becomes open and honest about her feelings, particularly with her husband, finds inner strength and resilience, emerging as a more empathetic and understanding person. As it raises questions about nature of truth and justice, and explores how guilt and trauma affects individuals and relationships, the movie conveys a message of forgiveness, and redemption.