Unlikely Friends

Gr 9 Up—When a violent assault ends in the perpetrator being tried and jailed, it is unusual for the victim and assailant to become sincere friends. Yet, this is the theme of this documentary, which promotes forgiveness and understanding in such situations. Aptly titled, it explores a handful of relationships wherein victims of violent crime reach out to forgive and befriend those who attacked. A law enforcement officer in Wyoming had been shot several times in pursuit of a thief on the run. A mother in Arizona lost her son to a random shooting. A California woman volunteers to help convicts understand the repercussions of their crimes. Through these encounters, viewers appreciate the healing power of forgiveness, and the idea that a victim who seeks revenge is only imprisoning him/herself. The message evokes Gandhi, Christian teachings, and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., but this film doesn't promote any particular religion. Instead, the message is to pursue positive outcomes and to build trust. One may come to sympathize with those who commit violent crimes, as victims of their own difficult circumstance. However, the improbability of completely forgiving one's assailant lingers. This is a good choice for libraries with patrons close to issues surrounding incarceration or crime, and for general questions regarding clemency.—Robin Levin, Fort Washakie School/Community Library, WY