"Blink" is a documentary produced by National Geographic that follows a couple traveling around the world with their four children. The focus of the film is not on the beautiful scenery of travel, but rather on the significance and impact of this journey for the family, as three of the children are diagnosed with the hereditary disease "retinitis pigmentosa" and are facing blindness.
Upon learning that their children are about to lose their sight, the parents are engulfed in pain and anger, as there are currently no medical treatments available. Experts advise them to see as much of the world as possible before the blindness sets in, to create lasting memories. Thus, the family made a wish list and embarked on this global journey. Due to limited funds, they primarily visited underdeveloped countries and stayed mostly in guesthouses, with a daily budget of $200. They spent over a year visiting more than 20 countries. The film does not document each country in detail but focuses on family interactions in select locations.
I was particularly impressed by the trekking in the Himalayas of Nepal, watching the sunset in the Egyptian desert, and the adventure in the Amazon rainforest of Ecuador.
In Nepal, I only walked a small symbolic part of the trekking route, as I did not have enough time and energy to complete it. This route is quite challenging for an average person and is indeed tough for children. What the children likely remember is not just the altitude sickness and vomiting, but more so the mutual support among everyone in harsh conditions, revealing true feelings in times of hardship.
Watching the sunset in the desert was truly beautiful; the girl mentioned to her mother during their conversation that she would come back to play again, even if she couldn't see, she could still play in the sand. Travel not only allowed the children to appreciate beautiful sights but also helped them realize that there are many ways to connect with the world, beyond just seeing, including touching and other senses.
Playing with indigenous children in the Amazon rainforest brought joy to the kids, and they formed friendships. The indigenous children's wish was to leave their village and see a bigger world. Everyone has aspects of their lives that others might envy, and there are times when they themselves feel envious of others.
The entire film is quite restrained, lacking excessive sentimentality and preaching, and does not deliberately create conflicts or highlight moments. It may seem somewhat plain, but it is relatively authentic, and those with similar experiences will still feel empathy.