by Abayomi Lewis
Ernest & Celestine
I identify with the characters in Ernest & Celestine: A Trip To Gibberitia because I can relate the characters to my life. Ernest, the bear, represents me growing up and having the gift to sing. Celestine reminds me of my mother, who believed in me and wanted me to pursue singing and different opportunities even amongst her trials raising my sister and me as a single mother. EFG resonates with my faith in knowing that I was a good singer and, lastly, the Judge and the Music police were my fear and doubts about singing in front of people.
As a child, I loved singing; I remember singing in my mother’s room to Adele’s songs. My mother encouraged my singing to this day, telling me I have the voice of an angel. In kindergarten, I had my first talent show. My friends and I signed up to perform. But closer to the show date, my friends bailed, and I felt that I, too, should cancel the show to fit in with my friends. I told my mother I no longer wanted to sing at the talent show because I was scared and nervous. My mother responded, “You will do the talent. You will now learn that your yes is yes and your no is no. And since you agreed, you will do the talent show.” The night before the talent show, I remember my fears and doubts, like the Judge and The Music police in the movie, making me feel like performing wasn’t possible. On the day of the talent show, my mother gave me a beautiful dress and did my hair; she even gave me glitter lip gloss. She invited all my family to witness me perform, which I didn’t know about, and I was so surprised. I walked to the stage and held the mic. It was noisy in the audience. I began the lyrics to Diamond by Rihanna, and the room got quiet. The epiphany, the quietness of the Judge, and the Music police, my fear and doubt, my mother representing Celestine as I, Ernest, witness a star in the making. From that day, I performed at many events, from City Hall to Gala Events and more. My dreams haven’t ended, but just started.
The part that I liked about the film is Ernest and Celestine’s friendship. It reminded me of my mom and myself. I’m Ernest; she’s Celestine. We love each other but argue a lot because of our different views. We always make amends in the end, such as with my singing. She pushed me to be on stage when I doubted myself. It connects to the movie in the main character’s relationship. Celestine persuaded Ernest to return to his hometown and face the fear of his father and the law that prohibited music. I didn’t notice how much of an impact my mom had on my life; she still does to this day. My mother has changed my views of life, making me believe in myself and sticking by my side when I feel alone. She was there. I also enjoyed the family Ernest had. He reminded me of my self-caring mother and a somehow distant father. When I was younger, my father didn’t sound caring because I was a girl; my father always wanted a son. I felt he wasn’t happy with me being a girl, always bragging about how the boys were stronger and so on. Later as I grew older, I found him to be a bit more aware of his words. I’m still working with him about such little things he comes to create as big situations.
The part of the film that made me worry about the future was the depiction of society. How could the people of Gibbertia accept that music wasn’t allowed? In connection to our society, where social media has taken over individuality and made people want to be like others, it’s okay to be inspired but still be unique. The people in Earnest’s town were at war with one another. At times, I feel that I can connect to this war symbolically because people at school are into different things, and I have friends who aren’t as inspired and can be misled into peer pressure and not stepping into their fullness of self. Sometimes I’d have difficulties singing in front of people because of their opinions and I would hear laughter and want to give up. But when I come home and speak with my mother, she would tell me that people who laugh sometimes are the people who couldn’t do themselves. With my mother’s support and words, I will remember that I have my thought process and strengths and will not conform to the society around me. My faith represents EFG and myself being like Ernest as my mother accompanies me being my own Celestine.
In the movie, I felt most confused by Ernest’s father because he enjoyed music, but bestowed a law forbidding music. I felt that Ernest’s father was a hypocrite towards his son so that he could fit in with the other judges. My thoughts were that the father retaliated towards Ernest and imposed this law because Ernest didn’t want to be a judge and follow the family tradition. As for the father, though it was confusing, I did enjoy the role he played and loved the plot twist of him liking music. It gave me an understanding that my fear and doubts are an obstacle course to strengthen me so that I can value my singing because I will fight through to make it a dream one day of being on Broadway as the characters in the movie fought to change the law. The film was amazing, inspiring, and had a lot of plot twists! This film left me to reflect because Ernest represents me singing, and Celestine is my mother, who is in my corner supporting me and encouraging me on my path, reminding me that for things we love, we must advocate and fight for it. And that is what I am doing. I want to thank everyone who has worked on this film; it has opened my heart.
This film has inspired me to be more confident in my singing abilities. This film helped me to think bigger of myself and dream of being a Broadway singer. I endured my trials on this voyage of singing. Transitioning into being a teenager and changing schools after graduation from elementary school, I had lost my passion for singing and witnessed myself put off singing and allowed my fear and doubts to win. When I would complain about my school, my mother would tell me I was there for a reason, to change the old and bring in the new. I believe in universal intervention because months before watching the movie, I was encouraged to start singing and participate in my school singing elective. I had to relearn my voice since it was different due to puberty, and now I sing every moment I get. I no longer feel defeated, pressured, or unable to do so because I know singing is a part of my peace, outlet, and destiny.