Reflection #3- Luisa Posada

The ending of the documentary The Times of Harvey Milk had both a negative and positive impact on me. Throughout the film, the main theme was the fight towards right, but the end shocked me, as well angered me. When Dan White was not given a proper sentence for his crime, it infuriated me, and it made me question whether there is justice at all. However, the legacy that this man left, and the message he sent through his work was permanent. Many people considered him a hero, and that is not an overstatement. During those times, the work the Milk did was courageous. The grief that Harvey's friends felt was emotional, but the inspiration and motivation they gained gave me a sense of hope for our generation, and the future ones.

Reflection #2- Luisa Posada

Before I saw the film, I have only heard a few stories about Harvey Milk. I did know that he fought for human rights, specifically gay rights, and that he worked in San Francisco. However, there weren't many facts I knew about him, therefore this documentary was the first source of information for me about Milk. Since I knew that there was a movie about Harvey Milk, I was expecting this documentary to contain evidence and statements from close friends, without much editing or twists. Throughout the film, I enjoyed short parts where Harvey talked, and it is a shame that there weren't many of them. This documentary could have been better if it was made when Harvey Milk was still alive. His opinions and perspectives could have made this documentary the best it could be.

Reflection # 2: The Times of Harvey Milk

From the study guide I choose to talk about the second bullet, which read as: When you saw the film, was there any audience reaction that stuck with you? Was there any unexpected laughter or loud comments? Any response you need to lift up because it affected you? One woman stood out to me, and I do not remember her name, but she had short brown hair, white circle earrings, a red top and red lipstick. She talked throughout the film and was with Harvey from the beginning. What struck me, in the near end of the film when Harvey was dead she actually cried. I know that death is cry-able and she should cry because a great friend and politician was assinated, but to cry on camera and after time had passed, to me was deep. This is when I really realized what Harvey did for these people, he was a voice, an inspiration and his death signified people's voices who would no longer be heard. I felt horrible. This one woman made me think and feel more emotions then I felt throughout the whole movie. Famous people are often told that they are loved by fans or followers, and when they die it is a shock, but it doesn't hurt as bad as a pet dying or your mother dying. That's what I am trying to get at, people across San Francisco were hurt emotionally over this mans death, and that is an accomplishment, and shows how amazing he was with his followers. Harvey really made a difference, and it is a real shame that someone so ignorant took his life away, along with peoples voices.

The Times of Harvey Milk - Reflection #2

Reflection #2

            Harvey Milk was such an inspiration to many people, even to me. It was grief-stricken that he died in the end. But he fought for what was right and helped many people, especially the LGBT community.

            I am not into politics, but to see Harvey being himself in front of many close-minded people made me feel brave. The Times of Harvey Milk was a great film documenting Harvey’s struggles while running for office as a superintendent.

Harvey’s personality was amazing. He was always smiling and being content just to reach his dream of equality. Not only did he stand up for gays and lesbians, but for everyone. Many one-sided people did not understand this. Towards the end when his counterpart – Dan White, kills him, people start noticing this. I got a little emotional and felt for Harvey. He was such a great man and for him to die trying to change the world was motivating.

If he were still alive today, many things would have changed. For example, there would be more people supporting gay rights and gay marriage. From seeing this film, I’ve realized that we have come along way. Everyone deserves to live no matter, what race or ethnicity, or sexual orientation. We should be free, we are different, but that doesn’t make us less human.

Many people today, for example, Lady Gaga, are fighting for equality, love and acceptance. She is empowering youth to be themselves and love who they are, that is why I love her and look up to her. I know if Harvey Milk was still alive he would’ve loved her. I wanted to see this documentary for such a long time and now that I saw it, I realized that you should be proud with who you are because you are special. You were born this way and it doesn’t matter where you come from and what your sexual orientation is. 

Reflection #1- Luisa Posada

The documentary's title, The Day My God Died, is taken from a statement made by one of the girls sold to sex slavery in India. What is meant by it is the day that all her hopes and dreams disapear. The day she was sold, she completely lost her faith in an almighty power above that was supposed to protect it, but as days passed, she beleived there was no way out, and therefore there was no one looking after her.

This statement reflects the feelings of dispair these girls felt as they were sold to sex slavery, and the emotion transfered in the title draws the audience into finding out out exactly what happened to these girls.The faces of hopelessness the girls such as Anita shown in the documentary made an impact on me, and it showed just how horrible life can be for some people in this world. The bluntness of this documenatry made an impact on me, as it did not cut major events that are important, such as the inside of brothels. This documentary has helped me gain a better view on the different issues affecting this world, and it makes us question our role in solving these problems.

The Day My God Died Review

The Day My God Died is a short documentary film about sex trafficking and sex slavery in foreign  countries. I found it very interesting that the film's title comes comes from a quote from a former trafficking victim. While watching this movie, I remember thinking "How can these girls endure this torture? I wouldn't be able to do it." No one should experience the torture that these girls faced, especially at such a young age. These young girls were tricked, kidnapped, beaten, raped and sometimes killed while being trafficked. As I watched the film, I felt really bad for these girls who had been trafficked and sent to live in these horrible, unthinkable conditions and endure the horrible treatment they got from the heads of the brothels and their "customers." I could tell that none of the girls wanted to be in the position that they were in and they wanted to get out any way they could. Just to try to get themselves out of harm's way, they would hide in holes where they'd hope no one would find them. That was one of the parts of the movie that stood out most to me. Also, the part where one of the heads of the brothel was talking about how she would beat the girls as if it were no big deal. She seemed as though she had no remorse whatsoever. I don't think she realized or even cared that the girls she was beating could've been her, or someone she cared about. That part of the film really got to me because the fact that she could mistreat these young women as bad as she did and also let random men come in and do the same to them was unbelievable to me. I also felt very bad for the girls who had contracted HIV/AIDS while being trafficked. It was like she had no heart. Overall, I believe that this film was a good one for the class to watch because it taught us about an issue that needs more recognition around world in places that it doesn't happen as often so maybe something can be done to help this problem.

The Day My God Died Review #1

The Day My God Died, was a small documentary about numerous girls who have been sold into sex slavery. Since they were very young and very impressionable, they did not know what was going on. Because of this film, major issues like “sex slavery” was able to get noticed in many small countries like India and Malaysia. The plot of the film interested me and helped me notice all the things that women have gone through. It made me think that here in America, we have more, but in other countries there are many issues happening and we should appreciate our lives. We should try to help out other people, so they can be able to succeed in their lives. Towards the end of the film, I was relieved to see the women get help and survive. Many women are still trying to survive today due to sex slavery, but they have not been able to escape or seek help because they are scared. It makes me content that at least some women were saved and do not have to experience this form of slavery anymore. This documentary made me think and gave me enough knowledge on issues that are occurring in different countries. I would recommend this to anyone who does not believe that “sex trafficking” is a major issue; it will open their eyes and provide them with enough insight on how to change their opinions.

Reflection #1: The Day My God Died

From the film, The Day My God Died facilitator sheet, I want to answer question number one. The title to the movie is taken from woman who was trafficked, and had said "the day I was sold was the day my god died." Listening to the statement from the film, and reading it again on paper-- which signifies how realistic it is, haunts me. Many emotions ran through my head while watching the heart wrenching stories of women who were tricked, kidnapped, tortured, raped and sometimes killed. To add to the emotions and watching the film, while being a woman it makes you think twice as hard. Having to think that could be me or someone I love, and only because we have vagina, is not fair. Therefore, this movie did affect me emotionally, from seeing the way these women were touched and kept. Small holes were made for them to climb in and hide in, rooms smelled, they ate once a day and was constantly raped, sometimes more then 5 guys. My emotions, started with anger. I was angry that people who were trusted steered these women into bad paths, angry at the women in the brothel who had no couth. Angry, at the men who went to the brothels and took advantage of these innocent lives, and anger that the police did not help these girls at all. My anger was so high, I wondered how angry the women were. I then had sadness within me, from the children whose childhood was taken from them, and from the mothers who had no way out. Even if they got out, they would live a live with AIDS and die prematurely, which is sadder. I did feel happiness at the end, when there was women who survived and lived outside of the brothel, seeking help and helping other girls get out. An image I can not get out of my head was the hole in the wall that had 6 girls inside. It was so upsetting to see, and I wanted the girls to get as much help as they needed. The film, was very educational and it tugged onto peoples heart strings, I just wish for girls to be freed and maintain help and a healthy life after.

The Day My God Died- Review #1

The Day My God Died is a powerful documentary telling the stories of several girls in India suffering from human tracking and sex trade. It is successful at appealing to the emotions of its audience by looking at the unique stories of the girls at a personal level, by getting to know their lives before, during, and after they were sold as sex slaves. The striking images of actual girls makes this documentary even stronger, and the testimonies of these young girls creates a more effective way of setting forth this issue. It should also be noted the important figures presented in this documentary gives it more credibility.
Although it may be accidental, the documentary presents us with the question whether countries like the United States would take a stand against these problems in outside countries but at the end, it leaves us with a strong message. The aftermath of these girls provides the audience with a feeling of hope, but it also encourage the viewers to contribute in some way, starting by getting informed.

The Day My God Died

Delving Into Documentaries

       The documentary The Day My God Died delves into an extremely controversial topic. Sex trafficking: a human rights issue in many countries. The documentary reveals the grueling truth behind the brothels in Bombay. Through hidden cameras and interviews from women who experienced a life trapped inside of these brothels, we got a sneak peak of a world that is usually shunned upon.  Entering this hidden world, the pain and suffering of these fragile and abused women are exposed. Through the lives of girls like Gina, Anita and many other girls the damaging effect of this horrible "business" is revealed. Due to the ignorance of the men in Bombay, these women go through torturous damage. Many of the men that go to these brothels go seeking some sort of "healing". They have been made to believe that by having sexual intercourse with these young women they can be healed by any sexual disease they may possess. They think the disease will leave their body and be passed on to the girl. This has lead to the devastating large percentage of women that now carry diseases like HIV. All in all, the documentary takes you into lives of pain and torture. Encouraging help and change.

Review #1:The Day My God Died

Melissa Reinhardt

          The Day My God Died, was a short documentary that opened a lot of eyes. I believe as Americans, and people who are aware of the world and our surroundings, human trafficking was not foreign. We knew what it was and how it occurred, but we never felt the sympathy we did  then when we watched the film. The film made these women's stories come alive and help other people understand the struggle. Many things had surprised us within the documentary and we are now inclined to help. The film was very heart wrenching and the way the women in the film was affected and how they made it their lifelong duty to continue to help others like themselves, and to keep living until they could was amazing from an outsiders point of view. From the beginning of the film to the end it kept me entertained and the plot moved well. No real questions were left, and I was happy to know how some of the girls got out and managed to have a productive life. Many girls were infected with the virus AIDS, but still tried to go on with life as normally as possible. All in all, the film told the story of many girls who were no longer free, in their body, head and in the real world. Each story was equally as interesting and they had ample time on each individual. Gladly, the plot moved on with the women going back to where they were once held, and helping other women who were trapped in the sex slave industry; the same predicament as they were a couple years back. Having these women get help and medical attention makes the viewers feel happy, and think that things can change, and they should. By seeking treatment and going home, or to centers that help women get through this tough time is beautiful and I am elated that someone was able to make a film about the journey these courageous women unwillingly took. I wholeheartedly enjoyed the film, and I would recommend it to anyone seeking a film that makes you learn and become less ignorant about the world.