YMCA Elise

Most of the films I have listed here changed my life in some way but this is one in particular that changed things.

I was asked by the YMCA to interview some young people about their aspirations for the future in the hope, I guess, of trying to generate some interesting ideas.

But when I arrived, they were all slumped on chairs, sipping Tizer and wearing onesies and dressing gowns - looking like they had no vision or hope to offer.

But as I began to probe, a different picture began to emerge. In fact, there was not a single person in that room who did not secretly dream of doing something wonderful and noble with their lives.

It seemed that they had been so crushed by their early life experiences, that it was like unearthing nearly dead bodies from a collapsed mine.

One girl in particular stuck in my mind because she was absolutely determined she had nothing to bring to the table. In a moment of bold conviction, I looked her in the eye and said, “I am not leaving this room until you tell me what it is that you would love to do with your life!”

It still makes me cry when I watch this film because of the sheer beauty of that girl’s hidden heart and the authenticity of her longings.