MovieChat Forums > Ostrov (2006) Discussion > Forgiveness ***Spoiler Alert****

Forgiveness *Spoiler Alert**

posted 15 years ago by martyr013
7 replies | jump to latest

In the end it seemed like he finally forgave himself after he found out that the capitan didn't die. Spiritually speaking, I don't see why that should matter. His actions were the same whether the captain died or not. I won't judge him for his actions. He was put in a terrible position, and to act cowardly is a perfectly appropriate response. I was just surprised he let himself die in peace after finding out the real consequences of his actions. I thought he was redeeming himself through his healing actions. I didn't know his redemption would come, because of something that didn't happen decades beforehand.

[–] TodoSan 15 years ago

he can't forgive himself, he can only be forgiven. in the end it was through God's Providence that the captain came searching for a holy father to heal his child and in this reunion, the monk was able to ask for forgiveness from his friend, the capitain for his actions whether they be the cowardess or celabratory ones, we are not to judge. thankfully, the captain forgives him not because he healed his daughter but because he sees that this man truly repents and thinks himself lower then dirt, humility, for what he had done to a man he called his friend. he was maintaining a very harsh podvig so as not to forget and allow the damning pride to control him. And again, through the "Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner" we the viewer see that his prayers were heard. However, lets not imagine that this was the only sin he was asking forgiveness for...this was a story of one of them. Also, we can only presume he was saved in the end. If tradition follows correctly, he would have thought himself still unworthy of the Heavenly hosts even up until his last breath.

Forgive me, this is a very complicated movie when considering the history, spirituality, and applications of the Eastern Orthodox Church that my words, ignorance and lack of experience can hardly justify.

S'Bogom

[–] tresfouer 15 years ago

I just watched this film. Loved it. My question to you, my brother in the Orthodox faith, is whether Anatoly was actually a monk. Or did he just live and work among them? Because in the second half of the film Father Filaret considers "tonsuring" Anatoly, which I thought (in this case) meant to make Anatoly a monk. On the other hand, why is Anatoly called "father?" Last, are all monks who are called "Father" actually priests?

[–] michaelxomb 14 years ago

I don't know as much as I'd like to about the Orthodox faith, but I believe the father was referring to monastic tonsuring.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tonsure#Eastern_Christianity

The end is about peace, and not forgiveness, in my understanding. Father Anatoly is finally at peace after the revelation that his shipmate is still alive and has forgiven him. We might refer to his peace as "forgiving himself", but it's quite different than spiritual forgiveness. He'd already been forgiven in the spiritual sense, many years ago.

What a great film.

[–] russianracehorse 13 years ago

My wife and I talked about this for some time after watching this extraordinary film. Although Anatoly was certainly pleased that Tikhon hadn't died, it doesn't change the "sin" from his perspective. Anatoly had intended to kill Tikhon to save himself. It was this intention--and not necessarily the result--that was the source of the guilt through the years.

[–] freethestates 13 years ago

I think that the best way to understand Father Anatoly's peace at the end of the movie is not from the perspective of his sin or guilt but from the perspective of the healing miracle that God provided to him at the end of his life.

[–] nephihaha 13 years ago

Actually, in the grand scheme of things, perhaps he wasn't supposed to forgive himself.

Because he didn't forgive himself, he went and helped all of these people. He may not have become a monk unless he had this horrible thing in this past.

It's a bit like "A Wonderful Life", the main character feels he is a failure, but his failure has positive consequences.

In this sense I find Ostrov moving.

"I was just surprised he let himself die in peace after finding out the real consequences of his actions."

Maybe he was supposed to live until he found this out. I think we're supposed to see the hand of God/fate etc in this.

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It's not "sci-fi", it's SF!

[–] simewn 9 years ago

No matter how hard he tried by praying and asking God for forgiveness and peace of mind, at the end only a man can forgive.