Through the Desert Goes Our Journey, by Walter R. Ratliff and Jesse Zerger Nathan, is a 57 minute documentary. This film was released by Agile Arts Production in 2008. Many voices tell a story of Mennonites who had believed a prophecy predicting the second coming of Christ at a specific date and time, though this was a falsehood. The film discusses the beliefs around this event focusing on the Mennonites who embarked on ‘the Great Trek’, a pilgrimage led by the “dramatic leader” Claas Epp. The title of the film is based off of one of the songs that would be sung during their travels. Overall, the film is informative in a way that is easily grasped, and can be watched as a family. There is some discussion of war violence included, however, this goes unseen.

From beginning to end there is a clear narrative with an organized order of events. A brief introduction tells the backstory including where the travelling began while explaining emotional events of families parting ways. Throughout the film there are narrators to give voices to those who took part in the pilgrimages, along with photos putting faces to the names. Some featured speakers include descendants of the great trek, historian James C. Juhnke, and Fred Belk, author of The Great Trek. Music ties together scenes, while re-enacted moments, old film footage, and maps of locations along the way provide further understanding. Each interviewee plays a part in explaining how Mennonites migrated 2,000 miles into Central Asia. From one location to another, viewers are given a glimpse of scenic landscapes and monumental structures such as the grandfather blue mosque in Serabulak.

Discussions throughout the film include work and travel conditions endured by the Mennonites, especially the difficulties of maintaining good health in extreme weather. The Molotschna colony, Ak Metchett and the bride community are also discussed. The film explores relationships between Mennonites and Muslims, and their sharing of the Mosques in Khiva. Time is also given to describe how the Mennonites were impacted by Soviet oppression, and the hardships faced through this. The story concludes with the final destination and result of events, as descendants of Claas Epp speak about their cautiousness in new understandings and visions.

-Teanna Rozek
2018-08-02

Bibliography
Ratliff, Walter. “Through the Desert Goes Our Journey”. Agile Arts Production, 2008.
“Through the Desert Goes Our Journey”. IMDB. 1990-2018. July, 2018. Web. <https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1326876/?ref_=nm_flmg_slf_1>

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The film The Last Objectors produced by Refuge 31 Films is a 45 minute documentary written and directed by Andrew Wall. This highlights the lives of those in Canada who chose to be conscientious objectors based upon Christian beliefs during the Second World War (1939-45). 11,000 conscientious objectors withstood actively participating in violence throughout this particular war. Several of these men are featured in the film and speak about their experiences as they were sent to camps in various Canadian National Park locations and assigned to alternate services. The majority of these people identified as Mennonites, Hutterites, Quakers, and other pacifist groups.

For anyone interested in Canadian History related to the WWII, Christianity, and/or Mennonite Heritage, this is a great addition to knowledge on the subject. Throughout the film, stories are told of how the C.O.’s came to be, with the process of their acceptance and activity. Some of the information covered includes the fight for their rights and beliefs, as well as experiences of alternative service. The reality of this is put into perspective by interviewees describing the jobs they were required to fill. For example, these people speak out about the dangerous work conditions they underwent including road work and tree felling, as well as the mentally and emotionally draining aspects such as working in hospitals. These workers express the impacts of difficulties they faced through long hours, with minimal wages earned.

Throughout the film, a variety of photographs are shown to supplement the narrative, derived from the events in discussion. The video contains straight forward content that is easily grasped through a conversational approach. The C.O.’s speak of what happened when notified of being drafted, the reasoning behind their decisions, and how they stood by these. Though the topic of the film is heavy, there are no graphic visuals and this can be watched as a family.
In reflecting upon the history of WWII, this is an important film to be considered. Credit is often given first to those who fought in the war as soldiers; however, it is important to remember those who served the country in other ways. This film highlights these ideas and remembers the C.O.’s in a positive light. For those interested in more information related to the subject of Conscientious Objectors, the book Alternative Service of Peace edited by A.J. Klassen is available in the MHM bookstore.

-Teanna Rozek
2018-08-02

Bibliography
“The Last Objectors” Refuge 31 Films. July, 2018. Web. <http://www.refuge31.com/project/the-last-objectors/>
Wall, Andrew. “The Last Objectors”. Mennonite Heritage Centre Archives. Refuge 31 Films, 2016.
“The Last Objectors on Absolutely Manitoba”, CBC News. July 15, 2016. CBC/Radio
Canada 2018. July 2018. Web <https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/absolutely-manitoba-last-objectors-1.3681610>

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