看電影去 Going to the Movies

        

        看電影是很享受的一件事。我總認為進戲院看大螢幕，所帶來的震撼與感動，是在家中看影碟所無法比擬的，尤其看經典好片更是如此。基本上，只要是生活中充滿樂趣的事，我都會迫不及待地想帶我的孩子去體驗，當然，看電影也不例外！然而，帶小小孩去看電影是需要一些勇氣的！

       Watching movies is an enjoyable thing. I have always thought that going to theaters to see the big screen, with all the thrills and emotion it brings, is unrivalled to watching DVDs at home, especially when seeing a good classic film. Basically, as long as it's a fun thing in life, I can not wait to take my children to experience it. Of course, seeing movies is no exception! However, bringing small children to see a movie takes a little bit of courage!

       記得當年，某個陽光普照的週日午後，我帶著還不到三歲的弟弟，以及五歲的哥哥，一起去住家對面的學校電影院觀賞一部動人的紀錄片《一閃一閃亮晶晶》（Twinkle Twinkle Little Stars），這是關懷自閉症孩童的影片，記錄自閉症兒童的生命故事和家庭互動。正如電影海報上的那句話：「生命有多麼的差異，世界就有多麼的美麗」，我期待兩兄弟能透過這個紀錄片，去認識並接納與自己不同、卻同樣閃耀著獨特光芒的孩子。

         I remember that year, on a sunny Sunday afternoon, I was taking my not even three year old son, and his 5 year old older brother, to the school's movie theater across from our house to watch a moving documentary "Twinkle Twinkle Little Stars" . This movie is about caring for children with autism, documenting the life stories and interactions of families with autistic children. Just like the movie poster's caption: "Life has so much diversity, the world has so much beauty", I hoped these two brothers would use this documentary to know and accept children different than themselves, yet know that as children, they too together shine their unique light.

         進入電影院之後，哥哥從頭到尾看得津津有味，而第一次去看電影的弟弟，一開始還乖乖地坐著看，但看到一半，也許是第一次看電影太興奮，他竟然開始在電影院的階梯爬上爬下，而大螢幕上還出現他的人形剪影，真窘！我立刻將他帶回座位，沒想到他又「歌興大發」，就在電影院開心地唱起兒歌「一閃一閃亮晶晶，滿天都是小星星……」，由於實在太配合這部電影的名稱，他好像在唱電影主題曲一般，真令人哭笑不得！我本來想要帶弟弟先離開戲院，以免打擾別人看電影，然而，我卻感受到，現場的氣氛是溫馨、包容的，我沒有接收到旁人責備的目光，反而是向我們發出友善的微笑，這讓我有些尷尬的心情放鬆下來，弟弟後來也「冷靜」多了，順利看完整部電影。

         After entering the theater, older brother relished the movie from start to finish, and his younger brother, it being his first time at the movies, obediently sat and watched from the start, but halfway through, perhaps his first trip to the movies was too exciting. He suddenly started climbing up and down the cinema stairs, and then his human silhouette appeared on the big screen, it was so embarrassing! I immediately brought him back to his seat, not thinking he would want to break out in song, and in the theater happily start singing the children's song "Twinkle, twinkle, little star. How I wonder what you are……" In light of it actually coordinating with the movie's name, it was just like he was singing the movie's theme song, which was really dumbfounding! I originally wanted to take him out of the theater, in order to avoid disturbing other people watching the film; however, I could actually feel that the atmosphere of the place was warm, inclusive, and I didn't receive reproachful stares from the people around us. Instead they were presenting us with friendly smiles. This allowed me to relax some of those awkward feelings. Later, little brother was also more "calm", and finishing the entire movie went smooth.

         這次看電影的特別經驗，並沒有阻擋我繼續去做那些看似「自找麻煩」的事，因為我時常被孩子的赤子之心所深深吸引，所以寧願「自找麻煩」，也要帶孩子們去體驗新事物，而事實上，不知有多少次，正因著孩子們的單純和熱情，以及閃閃發亮的眼神和燦爛的笑靨，讓我重新恢復對生命的熱誠，調整看待事情的角度，也更加懂得滿足與感恩。怪不得耶穌曾說：「讓小孩子到我這裏來，不要禁止他們，因為在天國的，正是這樣的人」（馬太福音十九14）。

       This special experience at the movies, really did not stop me from continuing to do those supposed "looking for trouble" activities. Since I have always been deeply attracted by a child's utter innocence, I would rather go "looking for trouble", and bring my children along to experience new things; but in reality, who knows how many times, it is precisely because of my children's purity and enthusiasm, as well as their shining eyes and bright smiles, that allow me to regain a zeal for life, adjust the perspective of looking at things, and also better know contentment and gratitude. No wonder Jesus said: "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." (Matthew 19:14)

      《一閃一閃亮晶晶》這部紀錄片，呈現了自閉症家庭的奮鬥歷程，如何走出陰霾，無懼社會異樣的眼光，讓那群孩子得著關懷、理解、接納與認同，而發揮他們獨特的天賦潛能，活出生命的色彩，都能像一顆顆美麗的星星，在我們週遭閃爍！

        "Twinkle Twinkle Little Stars" this documentary, presents families' struggles with autism, how to walk out of the shadows, and without fear of society's prejudice, allow that group of children to receive care, understanding, acceptance and recognition, and realize their unique talents and potential. Living out the colors of life, all are able to be like beautiful stars, flashing all around us!

         我知道，那天在電影院，有許多「星兒家庭」在現場觀賞影片，謝謝你們教導我們去欣賞與接納每個孩子的獨特；我也相信，那天在戲院中，一種說不出來的溫馨與包容的氣氛，是來自你們的關愛與接納，謝謝你們也接納我家弟弟的小小失控，讓我們在戲裏戲外都有難忘的體會，深信「愛裏沒有懼怕；愛既完全，就把懼怕除去」（約翰一書四18）。

         I know, the theater that day had a good amount of "star-child families" present to watch the film. Thank you for teaching us to appreciate and accept the uniqueness of every child. I also believe, that day in the theater had a kind of unspoken atmosphere of warmth and inclusion, which came from your love and acceptance. Thank you also for accepting my family's youngest and his little mishap, making our time in and out of the theater a memorable experience. I'm convinced that " There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear" ( 1 John 4:18).

作者:譚亞菁 Nov.29, 2012

Translated by Parker Gadbois