The Heart Has Its Reasons

About The Film

Info

Actors	Jean Vanier
Genre	Documentary
Run Time	57 minutes
Producer	Martin Doblmeier
Release Date	August 3, 2007
Studio	Journey Films

The story of Jean Vanier and the l’Arche community for men and women with mental handicaps.

THE HEART HAS ITS REASONS is the story of Jean Vanier and the l’Arche community in France.

The program focuses on the joys and struggles of daily life in community with mentally and physically handicapped people in France and the United States. We see small homes, not large institutional settings, daily chores and special celebrations – all framed by the l’Arche philosophy: the handicapped person is the heart of each community. Throughout the program, Jean Vanier – internationally acclaimed author and lecturer – offers insights resulting from his years of life in Christian community.

EI Editor Review

Editor reviews

Rating:

3.5

A special kind of compassion celebrated.

0 of 0 people found the following review helpful

User Review

User Reviews

Reviewed by Rhiannon Benedict

Consider this as the driving force behind your life’s work:

Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven.

In 1964, French Canadian Jean Vanier, the son of Canadian Governor General Georges Vanier, was inspired as a Christian to reach out to the poor. A little cloudy on exactly what his mission would entail, Vanier welcomed two men with developmental disabilities into his home in the the town of Trosly-Breuil, France, and the first community of “l’Arche” was born. Vanier’s drive to minister to “the poor” narrowed in focus to a vision to help “the poor in spirit” – specifically those who live with mental handicaps.

In Vanier’s own words, the l’Arche community, which is now spread throughout the world, exists as a daily practice of Jesus’ Beatitudes, from the book of Matthew, chapter 5. At the heart of the community are the men and women with special needs (in some countries children as well). The able-bodied Assistants are there solely for the comfort and personal growth of this needy community.

Almost without exception, the people join the community in varying states of emotional pain. An inability to grasp complex abstract concepts (or even to be able to speak) does not diminish the capacity for understanding rejection and experiencing the grief that invokes. The community does not focus on improving mental capacity – an injured or malformed brain cannot be changed – but seeks to reach the wounded spirits of each individual. This is truly a remarkable quest.

This is a very straight-forward documentary in terms of style – interview/ supporting footage; interview/ supporting footage – but the profundity of its subject matter is pure alchemy. The compassion, the struggles, the victories and the sorrows are almost epic. It is a world few can imagine – to strive to bring peace to the spirit of an individual. To continue to try, whether success is visible or not. To live for the comfort of another, and to find comfort in your own courage to carry on.

This is a special film, peopled with extraordinary lives. A worthy piece. Feel a little, learn a little, and "go slowly at the rhythm of life".

Rating:

3.5

Was this review helpful to you?
Yes