Risk or Die?

"When you take a risk, you may lose;

When you don't take a risk, you always lose."

Tonight I watched an inspiring movie that takes place on the French island of Corsica, about a chambermaid who discovers a passion for playing chess, which transforms her life. I love this kind of French movie, with beautiful scenery, minimal dialogue and maximum impact. There are some lovely scenes of Helene, the main character, riding her bike along empty roads, with majestic views of mountains and the Mediterranean Sea in the background. The French title is Joueuse; the English title, A Queen to Play. I highly recommend it! For more information, here's a link to a splendid review:

Queen to Play: A Tale of Chess in Corsica

In the background story that's included as an extra on the DVD, I learned that Corsica is known as "the land of chess." Out of 260,000 inhabitants on the island, there are 4,500 members of the Corsican chess league. In Corsican elementary schools, chess is so common that it's almost considered a subject. For the first time in my life, I'm curious enough to consider learning to play the game myself! Planning a trip to Corsica is also a possibility.

But the main point of the film is that risk is necessary for growth, and without taking on a challenge now and then, our lives become stagnant and dull. As the winter months loom ahead, I'm seeking new ways to challenge myself, and movies like this help to inspire me.