The Name of the Rose

I suppose I am cheating by choosing a film that is based on a book. I can’t recommend Umberto Eco’s book highly enough and I must say I rather enjoyed Jean-Jacques Annaud’s film even though it is different from the book in a variety of ways. On the face of it a murder mystery set in an Italian monastery in 1327 may not be an obvious choice (especially for someone who is a confirmed atheist) for a campaigner. However as someone who has been trying to change society since childhood I have worked on various issues over the years particularly around equality including women, race, health, the environment and homelessness. I partly choose The Name of the Rose because it covers so many issues too. Touching on disability, mental health, sexual orientation, sexism and poverty it is the unfairness in the way some are viewed and treated that I find inspires me to continued action against injustice.

Emotion may be what drives us to stand up and shout but reason is needed for the passion to bear fruit. William of Baskerville, one of the key characters in the book uses logic to investigate the mysterious deaths. He doesn’t always reach the right conclusion but it is the idea that one gathers evidence, then analysis and evaluates it with others to support ones beliefs rather than use faith alone that I feel is important when trying to bring about change.

I won’t spoil the end for those who haven’t seen it but another thing I took away from the film and book is the importance of humour. When trying to win over new converts to a cause, especially on equalities issues, a sense of humour in how you deliver the sometimes distressing message can help engage others. It can also help you tackle the ‘you have a chip on your shoulder’ attitude that bigots (such as Inquisitor Bernard Gui in The Name of the Rose) use to defend their power and privilege rather than share it with people they perceive as not belonging.

The book has a depth of intelligence that left me reaching for a dictionary and seeking more knowledge – back to gathering evidence. In this case I like the fact that there is always more to learn from people who have a different life to our own. The film has Sean Connery – what more could you ask?

Finally of course there is a link to my organisation. We want to see equality and justice for Women in the UK which we aim to support by raising and distributing money to women’s organisations and influencing others to do the same. Our name is Rosa (Italian for Rose)…