(From the Sept. 1 issue of The Fortnightly)
By Oliver M. Pulumbarit
Disasters test the affected communities’ mettle and can break their collective spirit. But during these natural or man-made catastrophes, some individuals are brave enough to step up and make a difference. Some films cite examples of nigh-superhuman feats by ordinary people:
‘Backdraft’ (1991)
Competitive brothers pursue similar careers in firefighting, following in the footsteps of their late father, who perished while performing his duties. The more focused Stephen (Kurt Russell) and the impatient Brian (William Baldwin) also contend with an arsonist and his deadly handiwork in the effects-aided thriller directed by Ron Howard.
‘Twister’ (1996)
As “storm-chasers,” the protagonists literally run after tornadoes. A meteorologist and a weather reporter (Helen Hunt and Bill Paxton) deploy a device in the path of a destructive twister, hoping that it can record valuable information on its structure. The gathered data can be used in the detection of impending weather disturbances. Heart-tugging connections between the characters keep the film afloat.
‘World Trade Center
Oliver Stone’s film poignantly celebrates the heroism of responders to the September 11 attacks. Cops played by Nicolas Cage and Michael Peña, among others, brave the chaos and join the rescue efforts, but get trapped in the process. A few of them survive being buried under heavy debris for several hours.
‘Unstoppable’ (2010)
A careless mistake sends a freight train speeding away from its operator, its container cars carrying tons of dangerous chemicals. Based on a real incident, “Unstoppable” centers on an engineer (Denzel Washington) and a newly hired conductor (Chris Pine), initially uneasy co-workers who must set aside their differences and keep the situation from becoming catastrophic.
‘Contagion’ (2011)
A plague devastates the world, taking the lives of countless unwary victims in a matter of weeks. One of the casualties is Dr. Erin Mears (Kate Winslet), who studied and investigated the mysterious illness before succumbing to it herself. Another character investigating the disease is the compassionate Dr. Leonora Orantes (Marion Cotillard), forced to live in a Chinese village until a vaccine is handed to her captors. These are among the film’s most affecting portrayals.
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