The touching Australian documentary, ‘An uncomfortable Truth’ directed by Trudy McRobert, effectively enhances our understanding of the elective, ‘telling the truth’, as it reveals the subjective nature of truth and the contextual influence that impacts its reception. Following 50 years of silence, Jan O’Herne disclosed to her family the exhilarating truth of the suotematic rape that she was subjected to in WWII under control of the Japanese military.
McRobert establishes that Individuals may maintain their silence if the truth is too horrific and confronting. Although frightened, O’Herne disclosed to her daughters the truth of the sexual abuse she was subject to by the Japanese soldiers. The title of the documentary, ‘An uncomfortable Truth’ …show more content…
Demonstrated through high modality, first person voice, ‘I have forgiven the Japanese soldiers for what they did to me.’ O’Herne’s repetitive emotive language, ‘reaction of an embrace…it was all told through the embrace’ reveals the understanding and comfort portrayed by the sympathetic daughters once she shared her story, signifying that the exposure of truth enhances expression of empathy and understanding. The close-ups of the daughters as they express their horror ignite emotion within the viewers while the background of the painting of a girl running gives reference to the depth of the story. The repetition of, ‘I’ in, ‘That is why I tell these stories. I never want another woman to suffer as I did,’ provides weight to the truth, reinforcing that the disclosure of truth contributes to the horrors of history not being repeated . Eventually, O’Herne announced, ‘now I can enjoy flowers,” symbolic of her acceptance and healing. Hence, she became empowered, she persisted the rest of her life to campaigning ‘comfort woman’ around the world, calling national attention, but in aim of an apology by the Japanese government, through the consecutive speech scenes displayed, portraying that governments will deny the truth if it reflects detrimentally on their nation. The final scene of O’Herne sitting peacefully amongst a romantic pond, holding a lotus, contrasts
McRobert establishes that Individuals may maintain their silence if the truth is too horrific and confronting. Although frightened, O’Herne disclosed to her daughters the truth of the sexual abuse she was subject to by the Japanese soldiers. The title of the documentary, ‘An uncomfortable Truth’ …show more content…
Demonstrated through high modality, first person voice, ‘I have forgiven the Japanese soldiers for what they did to me.’ O’Herne’s repetitive emotive language, ‘reaction of an embrace…it was all told through the embrace’ reveals the understanding and comfort portrayed by the sympathetic daughters once she shared her story, signifying that the exposure of truth enhances expression of empathy and understanding. The close-ups of the daughters as they express their horror ignite emotion within the viewers while the background of the painting of a girl running gives reference to the depth of the story. The repetition of, ‘I’ in, ‘That is why I tell these stories. I never want another woman to suffer as I did,’ provides weight to the truth, reinforcing that the disclosure of truth contributes to the horrors of history not being repeated . Eventually, O’Herne announced, ‘now I can enjoy flowers,” symbolic of her acceptance and healing. Hence, she became empowered, she persisted the rest of her life to campaigning ‘comfort woman’ around the world, calling national attention, but in aim of an apology by the Japanese government, through the consecutive speech scenes displayed, portraying that governments will deny the truth if it reflects detrimentally on their nation. The final scene of O’Herne sitting peacefully amongst a romantic pond, holding a lotus, contrasts