Page 19 - ADU Voice Volume 4 Issue 2

Spring 2025 | Voice 18

In contrast, Stand By Me shows us how we are shaped by those difficult challenges and transitions we face
especially in our formative years. In Stand By Me a group of four friends go hiking together; as a result,
they face physical and emotional challenges that force them to grow into themselves. One of the characters,
Gordie, who’s dealing with the death of his brother, must face his fears and insecurities during this journey
with his friends; however, after he opens up about his struggles to Chris, a close friend in the group, he
gains more confidence and begins to realize his value. This raw and vulnerable transition shows us that
going through uncomfortable moments and sharing them with others can often be a powerful source of
development.

How Deep is the Ocean (2023) is an indie film that also highlights the
coming-of-age experience, but this time from the lens of survival.
The film follows a young woman moving to Melbourne in an
attempt to leave her past behind navigating the challenges of
adulthood, self-discovery, and her relationships to the people
around her. The film illustrates the themes of survival in
the face of adversity. In a conversation with the filmmaker,
Andrew Walsh, he shares how his personal changes inspired
the film: “I knew I needed to do something radical to change
my life for the better.” He further goes on to say, “I just
wanted to tell a story about someone effectively trying to outrun
her past and completely fails at it but gains an inner strength she
never knew she had. I wanted to tell a story about survival. Without
survival, there is no change. Without change there is no hope.” This
theme of survival and change, even in hardships, is central to the film.

Walsh himself faced numerous obstacles making this film as he took on many roles including overseeing
the production, screenwriting, and directing. While managing all these responsibilities was incredibly
challenging, it helped him confront his fears; he explains, “Making the film in these tough circumstances
took away a lot of my fear. If you can create a feature film out of nothing, battle the elements, and make it to
the other side, you can handle anything.” His story is a reminder that while embracing change isn’t always
easy, it will be worth it. Walsh also offers a valuable lesson to anybody navigating any changes in their life,
“Celebrating the success of others does not diminish your own.” This mindset has helped him embrace the
changes he had experienced and will continue to, and in the end, be proud of what he has achieved.

All of these films remind us of the intense and unpredictable changes we face growing up, but what happens
after we enter adulthood and leave behind the most dramatic moments of our youth? As we get older,
the changes we face become less frequent, and life starts to feel mundane with fewer shifts in our lives.
However, even as adults, change remains important. Stepping out of your comfort zone, whether it’s by
picking up a new hobby, learning something new, or even moving to a new city, can contribute heavily to
our growth. In a world where stability is often prioritized, embracing the unknown and putting yourself in
unfamiliar situations can be the key to living life fully. Every time we step out of our comfort zone and try
something new, we are challenging ourselves with our beliefs and abilities; which in turn, lead us to grow
in unexpected ways.