The story takes place in medieval Ireland. The island where the monastery is located is threatened by the invasion of Viking pirates, so the abbot leads everyone to build a high city wall day after day, trying to resist the alien invasion. Yidan escaped to this island with the unfinished Book of Kells, met the protagonist Brendan, discovered the potential of this little boy, and hoped to pass on the task of completing the Book of Kells to him. Despite the opposition and obstruction of the abbot, Brendan worked hard to continue to draw the Book of Kells. When he disobeyed the rule that he could not enter the forest, when he stepped into the mysterious forest for the first time, he met a lovely forest elf. Aisling, who later helped him fend off beasts, find fruit, escape from locked rooms, and find crystal eyes. In the end, the savage Viking pirates invaded, the people were killed and injured, and the dean was seriously injured. Brendan fled the island and continued to draw scriptures, believing that it could bring light and hope to the world. At the end of the film, Brendan returns to the monastery, bringing back the completed and incomparable Book of Kells.
Aisling is the Irish name for dream and vision. In my understanding, this little girl may be real, or it may be the hope and belief in Brendan's heart. The first line of the song she sang when she took the kitten Pangur Ban to help Brendan steal the keys was You must go where I can not, which later translated into English as not in this life but fog, we live there, but little short stay. These few lines may be Brendan's hope for the civilization represented by the Book of Kells. He believes that civilization can spread around the world, it can be passed on from generation to generation, and it can bring light and hope to people in any situation.
Finally, when Brendan returned to the monastery with the completed Book of Kells, the late abbot held it in tears. I think this is not only the emotional tears left by seeing this unparalleled masterpiece, but also his reflection on his life's actions and thoughts. In the face of barbaric invasion, what should be done to resist? High walls? Or the power of civilization? So what about facing the dark? Facing disappointment? What about other hardships in the world?
In fact, in my opinion, the film does not give us an absolute answer. Just as the abbot's city walls could not resist the invasion of the Vikings, the Book of Kells, which symbolizes civilization and wisdom, also failed. Just as the mighty Roman Empire finally destroyed the democratic and civilized Greece. However, what the Book of Kells is endowed with is by no means a simple force, but an endless spirit and strength, the courage and faith to spread the truth, the responsibility and fraternity to save the world, and the hope. is bright.
2013.5.7
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