Articles and theories about education have often become the subject of social media, but a movie "Starting Line" from far away India presents us with this realistic dilemma more truly. Compared with the presentation of "parenting competition" by domestic TV dramas such as "Tiger Mom and Cat Dad", the film is even closer to and in line with the current hot issues such as "choosing schools", "early education", and "fighting fathers".
For the competitive pressure in real life that makes parents devastated, the work uses a slightly exaggerated joke style for a comedy presentation, and of course, several very distinctive song and dance embellishments are inserted. In order for their daughter to qualify for a prestigious school, clothing store owner Raj and his wife Mita, the two middle-class parents, devoted themselves to the game of "self-improvement". However, when they tried their best to finally send their children to prestigious schools, they found that they had already strayed from the original purpose of education.
This is also the deeper meaning of the film. The translated title of the film obviously comes from the famous phrase "Don't let children lose at the starting line", so as soon as we were born, we couldn't wait to force all the judgment standards and value systems in the adult world to It takes a lot of money and effort to invest in children. Reading early childhood education, supplementing English, playing the piano, and choosing a famous school, just like the couple in the film, all choices have been carefully considered in reality, and even the knowledge and identity of the parents must be carefully packaged so that children can get better results. "High-end" recognition.
However, in this process, the child's happiness is ignored, the rich feelings and experiences are ignored, the original vigorous and dynamic texture of life is drained into boring scores and academic qualifications, and the children who seem to be struggling not to lose at the starting line Are you sure you will be successful in your future life?
In fact, the film already hints at the answer in its cheerful atmosphere. The father in the film was originally a wise and humorous person. He completed the initial accumulation of wealth with his own ability and enthusiasm. But once he entered the so-called "high class", his vividness, authenticity and enthusiasm seemed out of place. Only the obsession with the degree supports them into this hypocritical life. But in the slums, they can feel the ups and downs of life and the real warmth between people. Under the rough and frank expression, there is actually a more simple and sincere original intention.
And through his own personal experience, Raj also gradually understood the essence of education, which is by no means the anxiety and comparison of adults into the children's beautiful childhood. The relationship between parents and children should be to accompany each other for a period of time. In the process of company, guide children to understand the peaceful attitude of appreciating the scenery and feeling life. Whether it is good times or bad, ecstasy or pain, you must treat the people and things around you with sincerity and determination. Because life is not a knockout race, it's so long that each individual has the opportunity to stretch into his own. It's so unique that there are no identical paths that prevent you from enjoying the scenery along the way.
As Raj stated at the end of the film, he finally captured the essence of education in the conflict and contradiction, and he and his wife also set an example for their daughter with the final choice. This seemingly idealistic ending also points out a feasible solution for Chinese parents who are also in anxiety. There is no need to worry about being behind at a certain moment, let alone worry about the so-called differences in class and life style, as long as they spend more time with their children , let her feel the truth, goodness and beauty of human nature in a soothing pace, appreciate the joy brought by knowledge, art and sports, she can learn to grasp the pace and rhythm of her life, and move in the direction of her own choice with kindness and warmth. Mood keeps moving forward.
Published in the Daily News.
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