Amen. Actions and Consequences

Costa-Gavras Amen. is a thought-provoking film that combines political thriller, unbelief and expose. Amen, translated in Hebrew as So be it, deals with three solid characters, both real and fictional, who act out different moral or slap-up principles. These characters, get down Riccardo Fontana, Kurt Gerstein and pope Pius XII, provide the audience with different perspectives on the predicament close to the genocide of millions of Jews during World War II, commonly know as the Holocaust.By reflecting on the lives, actions or personalities of these three characters, we would understand the ethical challenges, ethical principles and actions they have faced, considered and performed. Body Father Riccardo Fontana, played by Mathleu Kassovitz, is a junior diplomat and an idealistic Jesuit priest. Father Riccardo Fontana conditioned the flavor and sufferings of the Jews in the national socialist submergence camps (through the divine championing of Kurt Gerstein). He alike le arned that the American government inquired active the genocide of Jews through a garner addressed at the Vatican.He final stageeavoured or tried his high hat to alert the Vatican about the genocide of Jews in the Nazi concentration camps. He thought that his familial connections with the local priests and at the Vatican would bring in results or considerations from the pontiff. He overly thought that by directly stating the problems at the Nazi concentration camps to the pope, he would be suitable to bring light to the problem and have the pontiff do his part by qualification a public avouchment condemning the actions of the Nazis.However, in the end, he was non able to have the concentrate of the Vatican. He lost his manners Father Riccardo Fontana died a martyr. Father Riccardo Fontana is a fictional character in the movie however, I believe that he symbolizes the early life of Pope Pius XII. As a morally spotless priest, I believe that he wanted to ease the pain o r sufferings of the Jews. As a diplomat, I believe that he wanted to do things in a peaceful and legal manner. I also cipher Father Riccardo Fontana believes on deontological ethics.Deontological ethics or deontology refers to the method of applying ethics by focusing on what actions ar overcompensate or wrong, regardless whether the consequences would right or non. This ethical principle is sometimes referred to as obligation or duty ethics. These are the reasons why I believe, Father Riccardo Fontana tried his best to alert the Pope, soak up a difference or bring the Jews protagonist from the Vatican even if it means to sacrificing his own life for the sake of duty. If I were Father Riccardo Fontana, I would also inform or alert the Vatican, particularly the Pope.I would look to his assistance regarding the genocide of Jews and strongly emphasize my point that it is wrong and immoral. I would let them see that as priests, we should do our best to preserve life and peace al l throughout the world, despite the differences in race or ethnicity. I would stand for the right of my fellow Jews, especially for their right to live. However, distant Father Riccardo Fontana, I would seek or provide different kinds of dish if all of the previous acts fail. I help the Jews by hiding them from the Nazis and I will ease their pain with my prayers.Subsequently, I will continue my efforts to make the authorities do their part. I will not have myself killed, not for selfish reasons, but because I know that dying wont solve anything. If I die, I would no longer be able to help the Jews or the needy. If I die, I wont be able to strengthen their morale and backup their spirits and hopes high. On the other hand, Kurt Gerstein, played by Ulrich Tukur, is a real character or individual, greatly devoted to his duty as a soldier and religious beliefs as a Protestant. He is a German SS officer on dining table the Waffen-SS during the World War II.He is also an intelligent scientist and member of the Institute for hygiene who developed the gas Zyklon B for treating or curing the waters drank and utilize by Nazi soldiers. As a scientist, hygienist and developer of the Zyklon B, he only wanted to prevent illnesses or the spread of diseases among the Nazi troops. Unfortunately, Zyklon B was used to end the Jews. Raised in a family of patriotic officers and soldiers with strong sense of responsibility, his obeisance or compliance to authority cannot be doubted. However, after learning this tremendous truth, his values as a Protestant dominated his sense of patriotism.He alerted the Protestant leaders, then the authorities, Swedish diplomats and also the Roman Catholic Church about the immoral acts committed by his superiors. He took actions similar to what Father Riccardo Fontana did and scantily like the efforts of Father Riccardo Fontana, Gersteins efforts were in awe. Conversely, I am win over that he believes the same ethical principles as Fath er Ricardo Fontana. If I were Kurt Gerstein, I would first try to reach a higher gear up in the Nazi party. I will do my best to reach that position as soon as possible because time is of the essence.After having power or authority, I would instantly see to it that the officers under my authority would provide help to the Jews. I would do this secretly or behind the radar of my superiors so that I can still have my power and my life for the service of those who are suffering. With my power and my life, I will provide more help or make more things morally right. Pope Pius XII, the most moot character in the movie, is subjected to allegations of preserving his selfish-needs, economic interests, ambition and power by doing cipher regardless of knowing the horrible truth at the Nazi concentration camps.In this sense, allegedly, the Pope and the Roman Catholic Church in extension, committed nonoperational sin. Somehow, watching the movie had made me scrutinize or contemplate on the f aith and hope that I had for the Vatican or to the Pope. Putting myself in the home of Kurt Gerstein and Father Riccardo Fontana made me doubt that the religious authorities are not morally upright. However, considering the position of the Pope, I reclaimed my belief that he did not do anything wrong and that he only wanted greater good for a greater number of individuals or Jews in particular.As a cock-a-hoop and religious leader, every action should be seriously weighed and the interests of those who are in need or prosecuted should be considered in order to prevent move on harm done to them. Alerting the international public would disrupt the committal of the Vatican and the Nazi party and spark more tension. If the allegiance is lost and the Nazis are angered by the public statement or expose of their immoral acts, will the Vatican be able to address the retaliation of the Nazis? How can the Vatican keep Jews, provide food and shelter in chapels if the angered Nazis destroye d the Catholic chapels?Will the public statement improve the situation of the prosecuted Jews? Will it anticipate a possible war? I dont think. This is referable to the fact that the Nazi party has great military power at that time to retaliate to any threat or opposition. Public protests against this fell party would only increase prosecution, not only of Jews but also Roman Catholics and that would be further agonizing. I think that as a religious leader, a morally upright Roman Catholic and diplomat, Pope Pius XII did actions behind the eye of the public to help the Jews.I believe that Pope Pius XII believes in utilitarianism and because of this. Consequently, he suffered the pain of doing nothing because he knew that the consequences would be right or provide greater good. Conclusion Father Riccardo Fontana, Kurt Gerstein and Pope Pius XII are three interesting characters with varied perspectives when it comes to what is right or wrong. Father Riccardo Fontana and Kurt Gerste in believed in fulfilling their moral obligations while Pope Pius XII believed that the end justifies the means.The first two characters believed in doing things now and in considering consequences posterior while the third character was thinking of the consequences first before making an action. Somehow, I believe that the Holocaust or the genocide of millions of Jews in Nazi concentration camps, considering these two opposite ethical principles, is a dilemma. It is a dilemma where I believe, Pope Pius XII did the best choice. Works Cited Costa-Gavras, dir. Amen. Perfs. Ulrich Tukur, Mathieu Kassovitz. Kino International, 2002.