Maybe it's just because there are so many thought-provoking dialogues in this film. Those insignificant details are like scattered stars in the night sky, faintly but firmly radiating light. And only when you have an open mind that is willing to understand religion, can you appreciate the subtlety of these words. Just as when the agent who hunted Samir described the terrorist in his eyes, he said: Samir is a devout Muslim. And the mother sitting across from him said: No, he is a Muslim. That's it. There is no need to add any adjectives in front of this.
This is the best compliment to Muslims and the most true understanding of religion. Such a film that is not artificial, unpretentious, well laid out, and sensible and reasonable in the story, has subverted the American anti-terrorist film routine in many ways. It is a pot of water that has never been boiled, without the intensity of boiling, but with warm feelings. Unlike the previous American heroism blockbusters, the terrorists here are not so hideous. They don’t have a face that doesn’t look like a good person, and they are so open-minded that they look like British martyrs. And the male protagonist Samir is not a hero shaped for promotion and enlightenment, nor is he a so-called heroic American citizen. He is not fighting for the United States, but for the faith in his heart.
I don't want to delve into the absurdity of American heroes, nor do I want to mention the ridiculousness of hegemonism. Americans’ world police complex requires their own reflection. As the terrorist Omar said: The Americans have forgotten that they were also terrorists in the eyes of the British. And Carter, an American agent who claimed to be the incarnation of justice, said: In order to win, some sacrifices must be made. Samir smiled. He asked: Do you know who you say like? Samir refers to Omar. The so-called boundary between axiom and justice is blurred here. The white-faced Carter and the black-faced Omar both said this: In order to win... it is necessary.
What is really necessary may be to ask yourself: What was the original purpose? In the process of pursuing their goals, did those who believe in their own correctness in their respective positions go against the original intention without realizing it?
I speculated that there might be many radical Americans who would accuse the director of having no position after watching this movie. It looks almost like this. In such a film that does not define justice and so-called axioms, bad people are not like bad people, and good people are not like good people. If such a film reflects the national conditions of our country, it will certainly not be censored in our harmonious society. This is the Political Correctness under our national conditions. And what is really correct? ——This is a grand proposition that is exhausted.
If an American priest and an unexploded human bomb were locked up in a room to discuss this issue, they might quarrel for three days and three nights. If a patriotic youth who smashed Carrefour and a Japanese militarist were locked in a room to discuss this issue, they might both die by pinching each other's neck. Everyone has everyone's right. Everyone insists on everyone's right. Right, right, right is originally a beautiful pursuit, but it also fills the world with disputes and keeps the world from being able to stay away from war and displacement. Sometimes I even wonder whether the pursuit of rightness is right. But this is easy to fall into nothingness. I can only force myself not to go too far on this idea.
Maybe the right thing is not to go too far. It's like Samir asking Carter: How far do you want to go? Probably everyone wants to go far, and going too far often leads to extremes. Therefore, people need to stop to look at the road and correct deviations from time to time. I often find that my thinking is always approaching the golden mean. Unfortunately, without external reference, I cannot judge whether this is a return to the basics after the twists and turns, or whether the Confucianism on the roots of the Chinese is radiating its potential. But in any case, whether it is for a yellow face or a white face and a black face, extremes are not good. And "overcoming temptation and living correctly is the great holy war."
Unfortunately, I am a shameless person without faith. He is a person who has no destination and ultimate hope. But I have my persistence. At least I firmly believe that, whether it is Christ or Islam, Buddha or Communism, there are always things that can reach the same goal by different routes and can shake hands and make peace. For example, water must be drunk but shit cannot be eaten. For example, peace is good but violence is shameful. Another example is what Allah said: If you kill an innocent people, it's as if you've killed all mankind. Truth, goodness, and beauty, these three words, no matter how they will be smeared and used, they should be the original propaganda and original meaning of all religions.
Going back to this movie, probably its original intention is to ask you quietly without being stunned: What is your original intention, and what are you doing? Of course, as a Chinese who is far away from human bombs and also far from the United States, I can watch tiger fights from the other side. I can jokingly think, if Americans heard Omar's irrefutable condemnation of so-called American justice, how dumb they would eat Coptis. I can also blatantly criticize that radical Muslims are at odds with the true meaning of faith while defending their faith. But this kind of problem is most afraid of causing fire. When I ask myself in a daze, how can I be calm and upright without changing my face and heartbeat?
Probably using Traitor as the title, not only refers to Samir who was mistaken as a traitor to an American citizen in the initial foreshadowing, but also not only to Samir as a traitor to Muslims after the truth emerged. As Samir said to Omar at the last moment: Those who act in the name of Allah are the true betrayers of Muslims-this is also a correctness that transcends religion. This is true for Muslims, and it is true for anyone who has faith or not. And the reason why I like this movie named "Betrayer" is because I think it transcends fake heroism, and it also transcends religion in a narrow sense while discussing religion.
Although it is a pity that it cannot become a classic, it has a lot of points but lacks some thoroughness, but at the point of initiating thinking, it still does not lose an excellent movie. Without a stand, it is precisely its firm stand. Asking questions about the original intention and the heart is its greatest significance. The betrayer does not refer to a specific person, but to every specific person. No matter where you are in the East, everyone can be a betrayer. It is the betrayer of the original intention and the original intention, the betrayer of the innocent conscience, and the betrayer of his own. Neither you nor me can be excused.
And the only self-help is jihad. "Overcome the temptation and live the right way." The great jihad will not happen in thrilling places, but it can happen in ordinary but practical life.
View more about Traitor reviews
