Most people will be more familiar with the film of the same name when it comes to "Shirley the Sacred Dog", but in fact, the film is adapted from the French children's book of the same name, which takes place in a small town at the foot of the Alps during World War II, telling the story of the little boy Sebastian domesticating the dog Shirley.
The film of the same name, adapted from the novel, has won several international awards such as the Children's Jury Award at the Tallinn Black Night International Film Festival, the Youth Jury Award at the Seattle International Film Festival, and the author of the book is also the director of the film. Much of his work is about nature and animals, which is not unrelated to his childhood experiences – he grew up on a large 125-hectare farm, full of passion for nature and a passion for adventure.
The town where the story takes place is located on the border of France and Spain, and is a quiet town covered in snow. The town's peace is disrupted by Nazi soldiers, and a large white dog named Shirley, who is considered a hurtful "beast" and is hunted down by the villagers.
The boy Sebastian, an orphan adopted by a shepherd, and he and Shirley, who are equally lonely, have a crush on each other and become a pair of good friends who transcend humans and animals. In this book, it describes the adventure of an eternal friendship, a resourceful and touching story of an extraordinary child.
<h1 class="pgc-h-arrow-right" >01 humans and animals</h1>
In all human beings, children and animals seem to have a sharp mind, although adults always worry that animals will "hurt" children, but in fact, there seems to be a natural code of intersection between animals and children, and their spiritual thinking can entertain themselves and produce friendships across races.
In this book, perhaps the most touching thing is the friendship between Shirley and Sebastian.
The same big dog, who was beaten and abused by his former owner, is a "beast" in the eyes of the villagers who wants to get rid of it quickly, but in Sebastian's eyes, it is a friend, a good friend, a friend worth exchanging for life.
Why is there such a big difference?
First, human stereotypes and self-righteousness.
It's always hard for humans to escape stereotypes and self-righteous fallacies, but they don't know it. In this book, the arrogance and narcissism represented by the inhabitants of the town expose the ugliness of human nature.
Second, the empty cup mentality.
Corresponding to stereotypes and self-righteousness, there is the empty cup mentality, and it is precisely because of the empty cup that the boy Sebastian is able to see Shirley's true face - it is not a beast at all, but a beautiful white dog.
Third, attachment.
Attachment is a human instinct, and as an orphan, Sebastian is actually very eager to have a safe attachment relationship, and the same is true of Shirley, who has been beaten by her master.
Only in a secure attachment relationship can there be deep intimacy and good qualities such as loyalty and trust.
The pure emotion between children and animals, like the snow of the Alps, is pure and moving. Why is this movie or this book so moving? Here's why – each of us is moved by pure things, which is the deepest desire of everyone.
<h1 class="pgc-h-arrow-right" >02 cues of chiaroscuro</h1>
The bright line of this story is the story of Shirley and Sebastian, but it is set in the war era of Nazi aggression. Thus, the rescue of the Jews becomes another dark line in the novel.
The inhabitants of the town, represented by doctors, fearlessly took the bullets of German soldiers and helped innocent people smuggle across. However, what is unexpected is that the seemingly fierce and domineering German lieutenant also has an unknown side.
So, this is still a book about human nature and redemption.
Good works can never be separated from the shaping of human nature, without humanity, there is no work. And human nature is the most complex, there is light and darkness, there is despair, but it also gives birth to hope.
The story's big dog Shirley echoes the Nazi non-commissioned officer's setting, the former being mistaken for a beast that hurts the sheep, and the latter being judged to be a thug who hunts down Jews, but the big dog is actually docile, and the thugs will also rescue the Jews in their own way.
Many people will feel moved or warm, no matter which clue this book digs from, it is the warmth and touch that touches people's hearts. This is the pursuit of human nature, and it is also the salvation of human nature.
Especially at the climax, in the face of many obstacles and difficulties, Shirley, the greyhound, led everyone over the snowy mountains and finally sent the Jews to safety. At that moment, the warmth and kindness of human nature and other beautiful things were brought to the extreme. Although the book is set in the brutal Period of World War II, the author does not put his brushstrokes on the cruelty of war, but more shows the beauty of human nature.
<h1 class="pgc-h-arrow-right" >03 Only when loved and trusted can there be a future</h1>
Being trusted is a basic human desire. Under trust, goodwill is stimulated and conscience is recalled. All transformations will grow in an environment of trust and acceptance.
What makes Shirley the Great White Bear Dog eliminate the sense of distrust of human beings is the boy Sebastian, who has lost his maternal love since childhood, who is innocent and kind, and with a childlike heart that has not been polluted by the adult world, he builds a bridge of trust and love between the human world and his most loyal friend, the Great White Bear Dog.
Without the boy Sebastian, would Shirley really become a "beast" that no one can tame? The answer is most likely yes. There is a famous experiment in psychology, the Rosenthal experiment, about how much positive expectation changes a child's development.
In fact, this mentality is universal, even for Shirley the White Bear Dog.
In the novel, the seemingly fierce Nazi officer is actually a secret aid, and the reversal of this identity actually subverts the stereotypes of many people. Although this German officer behaved viciously in front of the world, he secretly passed on the German patrols to the stowaways behind his back. He fell in love with a French girl and silently supported her in his own way.
Putting aside the antagonisms caused by war, human nature has figured out that it longs to love and be loved, to trust and be trusted.
I think the author of this novel, of course, is also the film director himself, because his life experience as a child is, so his human nature is to love nature and love life, so even if there is an anti-war theme that can "elevate" the theme, in fact, he still only keeps his pen and ink on a beautiful human nature. This love of the supreme goodness of human nature cannot be hidden.
【Final】
This is a pure novel, this is a beautiful novel, this is a novel that purifies the soul. If possible, it is recommended to go to the movie again, the endless ice and snow world of the Alps, will definitely make your heart calm down and indulge in it.