Survivors applaud "The Impossible."
It is Sunday evening in
California. This weekend, the movie “The Impossible” (Director Juan Antonio Bayona and screenwriter Sergio G.Sanchez) and starring Ewan McGregor, Naomi Watts and TomHolland premier in wide screen at over 500 screens across the USA. As I
mentioned in last weeks blog post, I saw the movie about a week ago, knowing I
wanted – needed – to see this movie before friends and family saw it this
weekend.
As I
anticipated, the weekend has been filled with mixed emotion. A number of family
members, friends, and even strangers attended the movie. And following the
movie, felt compelled to call me or send me emails. Most of their reaction was,
“Rick, I had no idea that is what you went through.”
This
reaction, along with the reaction of movie critics and film goers confirms what
I also believe. The movie is that good. Or better said, “that real.”
This
afternoon, I spent about 45 minutes talking on the phone with another tsunami
survivor. He was also on Khoa Lak, the same beach that Henry (Erique) and Maria
and their three boys were on as dipicted in the film. This is about 15 miles
north of Patong where I and others experienced the same tsunami in Phuket. We
had not talked in three years. But we both knew, as the anticipation of the
release of this film, that we would eventually find a way to call and talk with
each other when this film came out.
One of
the things that both Peter and I agreed on was the small details of the film.
In fact, there were items that we both agreed were so real that we had even
forgotten them from our actual experiences.
For us
both, the film was emotional to watch. Not because we were necessarily thrown
back into the reality of those 72 hours beginning at 9:30 am on December 26,
2004. But because for the first time, we both said, “Now people can actually
understand and feel what it felt like to be in the middle of the tsunami.”
Over the
last 8 years, I have been asked many times to explain “how did it feel to be in
the middle of the tsunami?” Well meaning reporters and friend urge us to
describe the details.
But this
movie “shows” the details.
One of
the best example of how this movie gets it right is in the “swirling debis ofwater.” For so long, I have tried to explain to people how dangerous the water
was. Huge shards of glass from broken out hotel plate glass windows, pieces of
tuk-tuks and huge chunks of pieces of building filled the water. Once a person
asked, “Couldn’t you just swim” in the water. But as this movie so well
describes, it was like being in a washing machine of deadly debris.
The director
and writer also accurately depicted the sense of desperation as mothers,
fathers, brothers and sisters walked around looking for missing loved ones.
Because most people had their personal belongings swept away, they didn’t even
have pictures. And so they were walking around desperately trying to describe
their children or mothers or fathers. And because there were visitors from
around the world, and many were in shock, people would walk right up to you and
start to speak in Swedish or German or Spanish – not even realizing or
understanding that you didn’t understand.
There was
another interesting moment and a poignant moment for me, when Henry Belon (Ewen
McGregor) is shown in the movie calling his wife’s parents. McGregor struggles
to explain that he has lost his wife and two of the children. On the other end
of the line, you hear a father trying to comprehend what he is being told. That
moment in the scene struck me also as very real.
I
remember calling my parents back in Kansas, and trying to explain to them to “not
be worried, but eventually they would see something on the television about a
wave in Thailand, but that I had survived.” I remember her reaction was calm,
almost unbelieving. Like many people in the world, true word and news of the devastation
did not reach mainstream media until 4-6 hours after the first wave had hit.
And even then, news stations like CNN reported that “…25 people had been killed…”
No one knew the level of destruction until days later. The phone call was meant
to tell someone that I was ok. But later, as I reflected on it, it was also a
way to report to the outside world that I had lived. That I was ok.
As I
talked about in my in my initial journal entries, I had a cell phone that
lasted for hours that morning. Over 200 people used the phone to call home to
places all around the world, mostly to say, “I am ok. I am alive.” For days
afterwards, I continued to get return phone calls, asking to talk to people who
had originally used the phone. I had no idea of how to find them or what to
even say. But I would take down a phone number and description just in case.
About 24 hours after the original calls, I started to get phone calls from
individuals who had heard about my phone number from others who had heard from
their loved ones. The cell phones that worked that day were important moments
of comfort for many people that fateful day.
With
other survivors this weekend, we talked about memories of things we had
forgotten. We talked about the splitting of families, and the struggle on
whether to move on to a hospital, or stay were you were to look for missing people.
The movie accurately showed an element that has been a little embarrassing to
discuss up until now. The speed and turbulence of the water as so strong, that
it did remove clothes. IN the movie, Maria Belon is shown with ripped clothes.
But it has been reported that she, like many others, had their clothes
completed stripped away. Standing on the cliff, many survivors came to us
completely naked, and bleeding badly.
We also
talked about the “post 24 hour false tsunami warnings.” The next day, after the
tsunami had struck, there would be moments in which you would be working to
help clear debris, and suddenly, locals around you would start to run. At least
5-10 times, false warnings would be spread via cell phones to other cell
phones. And people would just start running.
There
were other details that the film didn’t show. The amount of dead bodies strewn
about were tough. You see in the movie the rows of them at hospitals or make
shift morgues. Most of that happened after about 24 hours. But before that,
there were bodies jammed into debris everywhere.
Another
item that even some of us as survivor disagreed on, were the number of waves.
From my perspective, the waves, at least in Phuket started at about 10:00 am –
and continued with swells that washed into the streets until 4:00 that
afternoon. The first wave was small, but it was the second wave that was the
tallest and most devastating. The wave you see in the movie made it look like
it was the first wave of destruction. But most of us agree, that the size of
that wave was actually the second. But I did read the real Maria Belon did
agree that the six hours of relentless waves had been consolidated in order to
get on with the movie. Fair enough. But as survivors, we just wanted everyone
to know that water and waves were an issue for the first six hours. And not
only did people lose their lives in those first waves, but they also tried to
make a run for it afterwards, and were also struck and swept away in waves
three, four and five.
ABOUT THE
CONTROVERSY
For the
last 10 days, I have been reading some reviewers who need to point out what
they didn’t like about the film. Most need to point out that the movie skips
over or ignores the emotions of the locals. I don’t think that this is an “and/or”
discussion. This movie was about 5 people and what happened to them. There
could and should be another movie about the amazing local people that were also
impacted by the tsunami. They also felt pain. They also lost loved ones. They
were crying and hurt and scared just like people around us.
After the
tsunami struck, many of the locals left the resort I was staying in. If they
had survived, many had homes inland and left to go be with family. But not
without grief. Most locals had an aunt or uncle or cousin who they knew were
killed that day on the beach. But the process of finding and navigating and
dealing with the process of finding / mourning and deciding what to do next was
very different.
Each of
the survivors I have connected with over the last days applaud this movie. We
have a sense that others are really understanding what we went through. We also
hope future movies can be made of what the locals also went through – not only
in Thailand, but also in the other countries where 220,000 more people were
killed.
It is
likely that many of will have nightmares again for a few days. But the
difference is this time, when we wake up, we can talk to people who have seen
the film, and have a little better idea what we experienced.
Thanks to
the actors Ewan McGregor, Naomi Watts, Tom Holland, Samuel Joslin and Oaklee Pendergast for bringing the characters to life.
Thanks to Director Juan Antonio Bayona and
screenwriter Sergio G. Sanchez for trying to make it real. Thanks to Maria
Belon for sharing her survivor story with the world.
Because of this, a few of us are a little more healed.
(I invite other survivors to comment on their reaction to the movie. Or others to ask us questions. - Rick Von Feldt)
Labels: Ewan MacGregor, Henry Belon, Juan Antonio Bayona, Khao Lak, Lucas Belon, Naomi Watts, Orchid Beach Resort, survivor Maria Belon, The Impossible, Thomas Holland, tsunami, tsunami survivor, von feldt
"The Impossible" painfully shows the reality of a tsunami
Three days ago, I had the chance to sit in a theatre in
San Francisco to see the limited release of "
The Impossible." I am still trying to pick the best words to describe my reaction to the movie.
But I think that I can speak for tsunami survivors from around the world. This is the first time a movie has captured the chaos, pain and horror of the
2004 SE Asia tsunami.
There are many stories from the tsunami, many of which are captured on this website. This story is just one. For tourists who experienced the tsunami and survived, the movie shows many accurate emotions and realities of what happened. The best may be the feeling of what it was like to be in the swirling "washing machine like" swell of waves and water. And secondly, the sense of grief and frustration by so many people who wandered around for the 72 hours following the first wave, looking for missing family members.
It is not an easy movie to watch - neither for survivors or for movie goers. But it is real. Honest. And worth seeing.
I will post more reactions to the movies over the next several days, and so please check back. And if you were a survivor, and saw the movie, please also share your thoughts and reactions.
I have responded to a few online reviews and articles about the movies including these:
Labels: Ewan MacGregor, Henry Belon, Juan Antonio Bayona, Khao Lak, Lucas Belon, Naomi Watts, Orchid Beach Resort, Sergio Sanchez, survivor Maria Belon, The Impossible, Thomas Holland, tsunami, von feldt, vonfeldt
SURVIVOR John Thompson - Why I was one of the few to survive, I won't ever know.
John Thompson - Khao Lak Tsunami Survivor
Why I was one of the few to survive, I won’t ever know.
John Thompson, Khao Lak Tsunami Survivor
Information from the website of John Thompson. Reproduced
here by permission.
http://www.sonomacountylaw.com/tsunami/index.htm
Copyright ©
2005-2010 John M. Thompson | Contact jmt@pon.net for photo use
permission and questions/comments.
Thailand: 8,245 Dead
Why
I was one of the few to survive I won't ever know. My fortune was partially due
to luck and partially due to a few calculated gambles. This website tells the
story of how I survived one of the world's most destructive natural disasters
in modern history.
Having
narrowly cheated death, I am left with a sense of extreme optimism for my
future. Perhaps because I came so close to losing everything, that now every
day of life seems like a new beginning. Being laid off from my job upon my
return home was not a crisis. Combined with surviving the tsunami I saw it as
an opportunity to reassess where my life has been going and how I could rebuild
my career in a meaningful way.
This
website is dedicated to the memory of the thousands who were less fortunate
than I on the fateful day of 26 December 2004. Special thanks go to those I was
with during and after the disaster - Petra, Bob, and Timothy.
Here is a timeline of what happened to me those days in Khao Lak, Thailand.
Saturday, 25 December 2004 16:53:25
Arrived at Khao
Lak. Explored area north of bungalow at Khaolak Orchid Beach Resort.
Enjoyed Christmas
dinner at Ristorante Da Gorgio and then later had desert at a beach front bar.
Sunday, 26 December 2004 08:00
While laying on
mattress, contemplating whether or not to sleep in longer, felt vibrating
sensation for about two minutes. Did not think it was an earthquake and thought
nothing of it after vibrating stopped.
9:00 Enjoyed breakfast at Mai's Quiet Zone on open patio overlooking the
beach. Watched two boys from English family I had met when checking in the
previous day playing frisbee in the waves.
9:45 Stopped by motorbike rental shop and paid 200 Baht for one more rental
day.
10:00 Purchased souvenir shirt and
some food at market across the street from motorbike rental shop.
10:10 Began motorbike journey with eventual goal of checking out the Poseidon
Bungalows which had been recommended to me. Also intended on visiting the Ton
Pling Waterfall on the way.
10:17 Unsuccessful attempt at finding "View Point" as listed on the
map. Continued driving down the road.
10:21 Parked motorbike at Sea Gull Andaman Resort and walked down to inspect
beach and what appeared to be an extremely low tide.
10:26:16 Noticed wooden longtail boat struggling in the water and eventually
turn over. Also saw many people standing on the shore looking at something,
which I then assumed was the struggling boat (but in retrospect I think they
were looking at the approaching wave or the bay empty of water). Took camera
out of bag to take picture of boat.
10:26:23 Seven seconds later: After taking picture of boat, the bay had already
completely filled with water and I took picture of what I thought was just an
extra large wave.
10:27:14 Fifty two seconds later: When I realized the wave was not stopping at
the shore I and others at the beach began running as fast as possible. Since I
already had the camera out, I took a picture over my shoulder as I ran, hoping
to capture the rushing wave.
Running from the Waves - Photo by John Thompson
10:28:04 Fifty seconds later: It was obvious that the wave was not stopping and
that I was not going to be able to outrun the wave so I ran up the front
entrance to the nearest big building, dodging falling roof tiles, and hoping
that the building would not be washed away or collapse. Took photo of now
flooded street as I ran into the hotel.
10:31:41 Climbed up on wooden balcony railing and prayed I was high enough above
the water. The water eventually came up to the top of the railing and then
started receeding. Started taking photos as the water drained out.
View of the Courtyard - Photo by John Thompson
Woman on mattress in the water
2004 11:01:04 Sought refuge in alcove at highest point in the building. Was bracing
for additional waves which never came.
John Thompson, On the Roof - Waiting for the water to recede -
Photo by John Thompson
12:04:16 Almost 2 hours after seeing the struggling boat, the water finally
drained out far enough so that it seemed safe to walk out.
Walking Through The Rubble - Photo by John Thompson
12:20:34 Hitched ride on a passing pickup truck back into main beach of Khao
Lak. Photographed some of the devastation as seen from the road.
Sunday, 26 December 2004
14:11:14 Photographed what was believed to be a second wave but which turned out
to be a false alarm. Spent the rest of the day and night in safety on top of
high hill.
Monday, 27 December 2004
09:27:39 After being scared back to the hill by several false alarms, Tim and I
finally made our way through the wreckage to retreive some of his belongings
from his third floor hotel room before beginning hike out of the area.
11:26:50 During another false alarm we were driven to military staging area
where we were finally taken by private car to a bus station to catch VIP bus to
Bangkok.
Friday 31 December 2004
06:59:32 Solomon and I inspected donated goods at military side of Bangkok
airport while waiting for transport plane back to Krabi.
Saturday 1 January 2005
09:39:23 Distributed donations to owners of damaged longtail boats in Krabi
area.
Saturday 1 January 2005
12:18:37 First return vist to Khao Lak area to determine extent of damage.
Toured area and local hospitals with Jenny, a relief worker for American
medical aid organization.
Sunday 2 January 2005
12:18:25 Toured ruined resort island of Phuket. Photographed destruction at
Patong beach.
Daily Collection of recently found bodies - Photo
by John Thompson
Uncovered bodies waiting to be identified - Photo
by John Thompson
Monday 10 January 2005
14:55:03 Second return trip to Khao Lak. Distributed thousands of dollars of
relief aid to refugee camp near Takua Pa.
Tuesday 11 January 2005
09:08:11 Final bit of aid work. Distributed donated money to Monitee Temple in
Krabi.
Saturday 22 January 2005
07:12 Returned
home to California after continuing trip to southern Thailand, Malaysia, and
Singapore.
December 26, 2005
MY STORY – ONE YEAR LATER
After coming
within 15 seconds of an almost certain death one year ago today, one of the
most common questions I am asked is "How did that experience change your
perspective on life?" To answer that question, I look back on how I have
lived during this past year.
As all people realize who come so close to loosing
everything, the only thing that really matters is life. While it is nice to
have physical things without life none of those things matter. In recognition
of this simple premise, I try to make the most of life, by continuing to travel,
mixing work with play when possible, and developing new hobbies.
After returning from Thailand, I spent some
additional time traveling, spending a month in Peru exploring the Amazon and
climbing peaks high in the Andes. In May I came into possession of a new
sailboat and have sailed almost every weekend since then. Beginning in July I
started working again as an attorney. Although I currently work for a law firm,
I continue to explore other career opportunities.
As for the future, I am sure the lessons from the
tsunami will stay with me forever. Not one day has gone by where I have not
somehow been reminded of the traumatic and overwhelming events of one year ago.
I have not been able to answer the question as to why I survived when over
223,000 people did not, inlcuding the fact that 80% of Thailand's tsunami
casualties occured in Khao Lak.
Labels: John Thompson, Khao Lak, Krabi, Monitee Temple, Orchid Beach Resort, Takua Pa, tsunami, tsunami survivor
