Moral Imagination through Dilemma Narrative of Forgiveness: Centering on Dardenne Brothers’ “Le fils”

Abstract

Normally, in many situations, life demands pardon and being forgiven. But, in some situation forgiveness is impossible and is considered as being contrary to justice. Forgiveness is moral dilemma. Many questions why immoral and brutal victimizer should be forgiven, how to forgive and when to forgive etc. follow forgiveness. Arguments in favor of and against forgiveness conflict sharply. There is no one exact meaning of forgiveness. Whenever forgiveness is needed there should be different thinking and action accordingly. The major stem of the way Dardenne Brothers understand problems of forgiveness is the belief in the universal human rationality. So, dutiful feature of forgiveness and impossibility of forgiveness clash more vehemently. Victims are urged by universal rationality to forgive and victimizers’ unlucky environments work as excuses for their wrongdoings and the excuses hider them from seeking forgiveness to lessen the burden of misdeed. Therefore, in Dardenne Brothers’ films, forgiveness is not related with the practical usefulness of mending victims and securing victims’ welfare and the background of forgiveness is not made through immature resonance with and compassion for victimizers. For victims to proceed to forgive, moral anger is needed which enables victims look straightly the injustice and unfairness of affliction and confront objective interpretation of their injury. Moral anger does not aim self-eliminating forgiveness which feeble and forceless victims inevitably are forced to choose but aims forgiveness of humanity companionship and recovery. Dardenne Brothers’ films have challenging dilemma narrative of forgiveness which has well-plotted plausibility, correct unilateral and naïve understanding of forgiveness and renew our understanding of human values and social justice. These features make Dardenne Brothers’ films valuable.