The Trap: A Serbian Film Emulating the Law of Human Nature
In a subjective sense, what is “right” and what is “wrong” appear to be definite. Many abide by “the law of human nature,” with the notion that everyone follows and can distinguish a set of standards that revolve around morality. C.S Lewis discusses this distinction and refers to the law that “people thought that everyone knew it by nature and did not need to be taught it.” In other words, there is a ubiquitous standard of right and wrong that everyone understands and agrees upon. However, what happens when it extends beyond just simply right and wrong, when factors such as life and death contribute to the decision? Is this law still valid?
The Serbian film, The Trap, emulates not one, but various “traps” in which many characters encounter and must independently determine the correct thing to do. The “correct” thing to do lies in ethics and morals, however the issues exemplify intricate complications. Mladen and his wife, Marija, lead a conventional life with just enough money to support themselves and their son Nemanja. Nemanja falls ill with a heart condition and needs immediate surgery to ultimately survive. This surgery however costs 30,000 Euros, much more than Mladen with his low paying, standard job can afford. Mladen finds himself in his own “trap” of gilt inevitable of escaping, as he realizes he cannot provide for the well being of his son’s life.
Just when Mladen believes that he is a failure of a father, a man proposes to compensate Mladen with the money if he were to kill a man. “I’ll give you the money if you kill a bad man” he says, “It is two good deeds.” Mladen ponders the decision, struggling to determine the right thing to do, as he has always lived his life as a good, moral man. If Mladen denies the proposal, he is denying Nemanja his life. If he accepts the proposal, Mladen would have to cross certain moral boundaries he was unfamiliar with. His moral code would be altered. Both selfish and unselfish acts yield negative and detrimental
The Serbian film, The Trap, emulates not one, but various “traps” in which many characters encounter and must independently determine the correct thing to do. The “correct” thing to do lies in ethics and morals, however the issues exemplify intricate complications. Mladen and his wife, Marija, lead a conventional life with just enough money to support themselves and their son Nemanja. Nemanja falls ill with a heart condition and needs immediate surgery to ultimately survive. This surgery however costs 30,000 Euros, much more than Mladen with his low paying, standard job can afford. Mladen finds himself in his own “trap” of gilt inevitable of escaping, as he realizes he cannot provide for the well being of his son’s life.
Just when Mladen believes that he is a failure of a father, a man proposes to compensate Mladen with the money if he were to kill a man. “I’ll give you the money if you kill a bad man” he says, “It is two good deeds.” Mladen ponders the decision, struggling to determine the right thing to do, as he has always lived his life as a good, moral man. If Mladen denies the proposal, he is denying Nemanja his life. If he accepts the proposal, Mladen would have to cross certain moral boundaries he was unfamiliar with. His moral code would be altered. Both selfish and unselfish acts yield negative and detrimental