An Unusual Film That Made Me Think- The Stranger, 2025

I recently watched The Stranger (L'Étranger), a 2025 French film written and directed by François Ozon. It is based on the famous 1942 novel by Albert Camus, a French-Algerian writer and philosopher.

I found this film unusual, but I enjoyed watching it. It is not the kind of movie that gives you an easy story, clear answers, or a happy ending. Instead, it leaves you with questions about human behavior, life, death, and the meaning of our existence.

A Man Who Does Not React Like Other People

The story takes place in Algeria during the period of French colonial rule. The main character, Meursault, is a young Frenchman who seems emotionally detached from the world around him.

When his mother dies, he does not show the sadness that other people expect. He continues with his ordinary life, including his relationship with a young woman named Marie. He appears to have little interest in career advancement or the ambitions that motivate many people.

Later, Meursault kills an Algerian man on a beach. He is arrested and put on trial. What makes the story especially disturbing is that the court seems concerned not only with the killing but also with Meursault's failure to show the emotions society expects from him.

The film asks us to consider an uncomfortable question: Are people judged only for what they do, or are they also judged for failing to behave as others believe they should?

Why I Found This Film Unusual

One thing that caught my attention was the film's black-and-white photography. Rather than making the story look old-fashioned, it gives the scenes a stark beauty. The bright sun, the sea, the streets of Algiers, and the faces of the characters become part of the storytelling.

The acting is also unusual. Meursault does not express his feelings in the familiar way we expect from a leading character. At times, it is difficult to know what he is thinking. We may feel uncomfortable with him, but we cannot easily look away.

This is not a movie that tells us what to think. It asks us to observe, reflect, and make our own judgments.

I believe that is one reason I enjoyed it. Even at nearly 92, I appreciate a film that challenges me to think rather than simply entertains me.

What Does It Mean for Life to Be Absurd?

Albert Camus is associated with a philosophical idea called the absurd. In simple terms, it describes the conflict between our human desire to find meaning in life and a world that does not always provide clear answers.

We want to understand why good people suffer, why some people die young while others live to an advanced age, and why events sometimes seem to happen without a reason that we can understand.

Camus explored these questions through his writing. Meursault represents an extreme example of a person who does not follow society's usual expectations about grief, love, ambition, and religion.

However, I do not believe that accepting life's uncertainties means that we should stop caring about other people. Nor does the idea that life can seem absurd excuse violence or remove our responsibility for our actions.

The killing at the center of the story remains a serious moral act, regardless of Meursault's feelings or lack of explanation.

My Reflections at Nearly 92

Having lived through almost 92 years, I have experienced a world that has changed enormously. I grew up in the Philippines during World War II, pursued my education, earned a Ph.D. in pharmaceutical chemistry, worked in the chemical and pharmaceutical industries, and eventually retired from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

I have also experienced the joys and sorrows of family life, including the loss of my beloved wife, Macrine, after more than 63 years of marriage.

These experiences have taught me that life cannot always be explained by logic alone. Science can help us understand many things about the physical world, but it does not answer every question about love, suffering, grief, or the purpose of our existence.

Unlike Meursault, I have found meaning in relationships, memories, service to others, my Catholic faith, and the simple pleasure of continuing to learn. Even now, I enjoy playing bridge, writing my blogs, and exploring new ideas.

I do not claim to understand every mystery of life. At my age, I have become more comfortable admitting that some questions may remain unanswered.

But I still believe that caring for others matters. The kindness we offer, the lives we touch, and the love we share are not made meaningless simply because life is uncertain.

A Catholic Perspective on the Film

As a Catholic, I see an important difference between Camus's philosophical outlook and my own understanding of life.

Camus asks us to confront the possibility that the universe does not provide the answers we seek. Catholic faith, on the other hand, teaches that life has meaning because we are created by God and called to love Him and our neighbors.

That does not mean a person of faith has an explanation for every tragedy. We may pray and still experience grief. We may believe in God's goodness and still struggle to understand suffering. Faith does not eliminate these difficulties.

For me, faith offers a way to live with these unanswered questions without giving up hope.

Meursault's confrontation with a prison chaplain near the end of the story brings this difference into focus. The question is no longer simply whether Meursault has followed society's rules. It becomes a question about death, belief, and whether he can accept a meaning beyond his own immediate experience.

Viewers will disagree about the answers. That is part of what makes the story worth discussing.

Another Question: Whose Story Are We Seeing?

There is also a historical dimension to the film that deserves attention.

The story takes place in colonial Algeria, where French settlers held power over the indigenous Algerian population. The man Meursault kills is not merely a figure in a private tragedy. He is also an Algerian whose life and identity have too often been overlooked in discussions of the original novel.

Ozon's adaptation gives greater attention to the Algerian characters, including the murdered man's sister. This encourages viewers to consider whose experiences are visible and whose voices are neglected.

It reminds us that a story can look very different when we examine it from another person's point of view.

This is a lesson that extends beyond the cinema. In our daily lives, we should be careful not to judge the world entirely through our own experiences. Other people have histories, struggles, and feelings that we may never fully understand.

Final Thoughts

I enjoyed The Stranger because it was different from the usual films I watch. It was beautiful to look at, unsettling at times, and full of philosophical questions.

I would not recommend it to everyone who wants a straightforward story or a conventional ending. But for viewers who enjoy films that make them think, it is worth considering.

As I approach my 92nd birthday, I find myself reflecting more often on what gives life meaning. I have no simple formula for answering that question.

Perhaps the lesson I take from this film is that we should not expect life to provide all the answers before we begin living meaningfully.

We can acknowledge uncertainty while still choosing kindness. We can recognize suffering without losing compassion. And we can accept that we do not understand everything while remaining grateful for the time we have been given.

For me, life remains meaningful through faith, family, friendship, learning, and the opportunity to share my thoughts with readers around the world.

At nearly 92, I am still curious about the world. And I am grateful that an unusual film like The Stranger can give an old man something new to think about.

A Final Thought

Life may not answer every question we ask,

Nor make clear the purpose of each day.

But love, kindness, faith, and memories

Can give meaning to the journey along the way.

- David, at nearly 92

AI OVERVIEW:

The Stranger (L'Étranger) is a 2025 French-Belgian drama film directed by François Ozon. It is a highly acclaimed, black-and-white cinematic adaptation of Albert Camus's landmark 1942 existentialist novel.

The Stranger

Premise & Narrative Context

Set in 1930s French-colonized Algeria, the psychological drama follows Meursault (played by Benjamin Voisin), an emotionally detached office clerk. When his mother passes away, he attends her funeral but completely fails to perform or display standard societal grief. This profound indifference ripples across his everyday life, from his budding romance with Marie (Rebecca Marder) to his dynamic with shady neighbors. 

Following a sequence of escalating neighborhood conflicts, Meursault commits a senseless murder, shooting an Arab man on a sun-drenched beach. During his subsequent trial, the legal system heavily scrutinizes his cold demeanor and sociopathic reaction to his mother's death. Ultimately, his explicit refusal to offer remorse or artificial excuses becomes the primary evidence used against his character, shaking the fragile fabric of colonial society.

Artistic Direction & Critical Reception

Unlike previous cinematic treatments of the novel, Ozon's version is heavily praised for its striking, sensuous monochrome cinematography and its uniquely sharp, modern anti-colonial focus. By intentionally expanding the perspectives of the colonized Algerians in the margins, the film delivers a fresh social critique alongside its core philosophical exploration of absurdism and dissociative privilege. 

The film debuted in competition for the prestigious Golden Lion at the Venice International Film Festival and earned widespread critical praise, maintaining a 91% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Critics celebrate it as an incredibly stylish, rich, and faithful re-reading of foundational existentialist literature.

Where to Watch

In the United States, you can find the movie playing across major digital storefronts:

• Streaming Subscription: Available on Amazon Prime Video
• Digital Rental ($4.99 - $5.99): Available to rent or buy via Fandango, Google Play Movies & TV, YouTube, and Apple TV. 
• Finally, My Photo of the Day: Our Younger Years

David B and Macrine J Katague, ( Framed and Photo Crystal), 1982 

Four Generations, Four Hours, and a Lifetime of Love-Part 2 of 2

I am the oldest generation in this photograph. Beside me is my daughter Dinah. Next is my granddaughter Elaine. In front of us is my great-grandson, Beau Joseph. By his side is his Dad, Kyle Joseph. Four generations are represented in one image below.

 

The Joseph Family, Dinah and I, Rohnert Park, CA, 9-2-26

September 2 was one of the happiest days of my life this year.

Dinah and I drove for several hours to visit my great-grandson, Beau Joseph, who lives with his parents in a suburb of Portland, Oregon. The Family were vacationing in Santa Rosa. After another four hours with him and his family, I drove home tired, but deeply happy and grateful.

The long drive was worth every mile. The last time I saw Beau was in October last year, when he was barely four months old. Today, at thirteen months, he has changed so much. He has begun to crawl, and his little personality is beginning to reveal itself. He looked at me with an expression that seemed to ask:

Who is this old man looking at me with such a loving gaze?

I smiled at him and called him guapito- my little handsome boy.

For a few precious minutes, I was able to hold him in my arms. I kissed him gently on the head for a few seconds. Those moments may seem small to someone else, but to me they were enormous. They filled my heart with happiness and gratitude.

I am grateful that I am still able to make the journey. I am grateful that my arms could still hold him, even if only for a short time. I am grateful that my eyes could watch him crawl and explore, and that my heart could feel the wonder of seeing another generation of our family grow before me.

Today, I was not only visiting Beau. I was reconnecting with four generations of love.

I spent time with his mother, my granddaughter Elaine; his father, Kyle Joseph, my grandson-in-law; and my daughter Dinah, Beau’s grandmother and my oldest daughter. To see all of them together reminded me that a family is not merely a collection of individuals. It is a living story, passed from one generation to the next.

When I look at the photograph, I see more than five faces. I see the passage of time. I see the continuity of love. I see the people who came before us, even though they are no longer visible in the picture. I also see the future embodied in Beau, who is only beginning his journey in this world.

Pride in a Young Family

I am also very proud of Elaine and Kyle.

About three months ago, they purchased a single-family home in a good neighborhood near Portland. They both have jobs, and through hard work, careful planning, and financial discipline, they were able to buy a home during the early years of their married life.

For young people today, this is not an easy achievement. In many parts of the United States, owning a home has become increasingly difficult for a young couple. The cost of housing is high, and the financial demands of beginning a family can be overwhelming.

That is why I admire what Elaine and Kyle have accomplished. Their new home represents more than bricks, walls, and a mortgage. It represents determination, responsibility, hope, and a place where Beau can grow.

I imagine him crawling across the floor, taking his first steps, learning new words, and gradually discovering the world around him. That home will hold many memories: birthdays, holidays, family dinners, laughter, disagreements, celebrations, and perhaps the sound of Beau calling for his parents.

A home becomes meaningful because of the life that takes place inside it.

The Gift of Being Present

We went to a Children Play Ground  Nearby after Lunch to Enjoy the Sun and More Visit Time

As we grow older, we learn that happiness does not always arrive in grand or dramatic ways. Sometimes it comes quietly, in the form of a child resting in our arms. Sometimes it appears in a kiss on a small head, a curious look, or a few hours spent with people we love.

Today reminded me that presence is one of the greatest gifts we can give one another.

I could not stay for several days. I could not spend the night or watch every new milestone. I had only four hours with Beau and his family before beginning the long drive home. But those four hours were enough to fill my heart.

Time is measured by clocks, but meaningful time is measured by what remains in the heart.

The drive home left me physically tired. My body reminded me that I am no longer young. But my spirit felt renewed. I carried with me the memory of Beau’s face, his curious eyes, his developing personality, and the warmth of holding him.

I also carried gratitude for my daughter, my granddaughter, my grandson-in-law, and this beautiful child who connects us all.

A Lifetime in One Photograph

One day, Beau may look at this photograph and wonder about the old man standing beside him. Perhaps he will be told that I was his great-grandfather, that I traveled four hours to see him, and that I held him in my arms and kissed him on the head.

He may not remember this visit. He may not remember the word guapito. But I will remember it for the rest of my life.

And perhaps, many years from now, he will understand what this picture represents: four generations gathered together, briefly united by family, history, and love.

Today was only one day. It was only four hours. But sometimes four hours can contain a lifetime of love.

Personal Note: I have another great grandson, two months older than Beau. His name is Graham and the son of Dinah's son, Ian.  

I have not seen him in person for a quite a while. I am hoping to see him on my 92nd Birthday this coming December 20.  

Lastly, My Photo of the Day:

The jade vine, Strongylodon macrobotrys, is a leguminous vine endemic to the Philippines. Specimens were collected on Mount Makiling, Luzon, in 1841 by the United States Exploring Expedition, and Harvard botanist Asa Gray described it. Its claw-shaped turquoise flowers hang in trusses up to 3 meters long and are pollinated in the wild by a bat. On Luzon the flowers are eaten as a vegetable called tayabak.

Hara Hachi Bu: How Mindful Eating Can Combat Outsized Portions

This article is inspired from my recent experience of our Dining Offerings here at THD. Several months ago, at the suggestions of several residents initiated by my blogs, THD management added in our menu the line : 1/2 servings Portions Available. 

 Most of the residents were happy, however a few informed me they will order full servings and will eat it all, so there will be no waste of foods. 

Just recently, THD change its Menu Format, Adding a Full Page of " Always Available" and retain the 1/2 servings line on the Dinner Menu-an improvement. 

However, in our Dinner Menu this week, I noticed the 1/2 servings line was omitted. Is this intentional? Will the Dinner servings be portions that seniors could consume without waste. Just curious, since the  past weeks,  I also observed that the servings I have experience is perfect for my needs of eating only to 80% of my Full Satisfaction, Thus this article:   

Hara Hachi Bu: Finding Balance in a World of Outsized Portions

In our fast-paced, modern food culture, the finish line of a meal is almost always the same: feeling completely stuffed. But across the ocean, in the longevity hotspot of Okinawa, Japan, an ancient Confucian mantra dictates a healthier boundary. Hara Hachi Bu teaches practitioners to eat until they are only 80% full.

This simple shift from maximum capacity to light satisfaction is one of the foundational secrets to Okinawan health and longevity. However, importing this ancient wisdom into our modern lives isn't as simple as just deciding to eat less. We live in an environment that actively works against our body's natural cues, making the 80% threshold a moving target.

The Modern Dilemma: Outsized Portions vs. Ancient Wisdom

The biggest obstacle to practicing Hara Hachi Bu today is the dramatic inflation of modern portion sizes. Over the last few decades, restaurant plates, fast-food servings, and even packaged grocery items have grown exponentially. What we visually perceive as a "normal" single serving is often enough to feed two or three people.

This hyper-abundance distorts our internal baseline. When we are served an oversized plate, our psychology shifts from listening to our stomachs to finishing what is in front of us. This biological misalignment overrides our natural fullness signals, meaning that by the time we visually "clean our plate," we have long blown past the 80% mark and entered the zone of metabolic strain. To combat this, we must shift our focus away from the size of the plate and back to the physical sensations within our bodies.

Practical Tips to Master the 80% Threshold

Transitioning to mindful eating requires resetting your relationship with satiety. Here are practical, actionable strategies to help you recognize and honor your 80% limit:

• Embrace the 20-minute delay. It takes roughly 20 minutes for your stomach to chemically signal your brain that it is full. If you eat quickly, you will hit 100% capacity before your brain even registers that you’ve started. Slow your pace, chew thoroughly, and give your internal communication system time to catch up.
• Downsize your dinnerware. Trick your brain by using smaller plates and bowls. A portion that looks meager on a massive restaurant-sized plate looks abundant on a smaller salad plate. This satisfies your visual hunger before you even take your first bite.
• Assess your hunger mid-meal. Halfway through your food, pause for a moment. Put down your utensils, take a breath, and ask yourself where you land on a scale from 1 to 10. If you no longer feel empty but aren't quite heavy yet, you are approaching the 80% sweet spot.
• Reframe leftovers as a win. Remove the societal guilt of leaving food on your plate. Instead of viewing leftovers as a chore, see them as a gift to your future self—a free, effortless lunch for tomorrow that spared your body from unnecessary digestive stress today.
• Eliminate digital distractions. Eating while scrolling on a phone, watching television, or working at a desk blindsides your awareness. When your mind is fully occupied elsewhere, your hand will mindlessly move food to your mouth long after your body has had enough.

By actively dialing back our intake and resisting the pressure of modern portion sizes, we can reclaim control over our health. Hara Hachi Bu reminds us that true dietary abundance isn’t about eating everything available, it’s about having the clarity to stop when our body is perfectly fueled.

 My Photo of the Day: 

One of My Favorite Pinoy Dishes: The Dish, I will order in any Filipino Restaurant.   

Finally, The biggest news stories of the day include:

• Justice Department Charges James Comey Again: The U.S. Justice Department has brought a third round of criminal charges against former FBI Director James Comey, accusing him of leaking information to the media.
Trump Administration Election & Voter Fraud Moves: President Donald Trump announced a $1 million reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of voter fraud, while the administration is facing legal battles over efforts to block vote certification in Alaska and challenge mail-in ballots in California ahead of the midterms. 
Israel Election and Regional Tensions: Israeli voters participate in high-turnout national elections with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu fighting for political survival following heightened military and regional developments.
Jay-Z Super Bowl Halftime Show: Rapper Jay-Z was announced to headline the 2027 Super Bowl Halftime Show. 
Ares Capital Acquires MidCap Financial: In major financial news, Ares Capital Corporation agreed to acquire MidCap Financial Investment Corporation in a $2.6 billion cash-and-stock deal.
Federal Judge Blocks D.C. Golf Project Trees: U.S. District Judge Ana C. Reyes issued an injunction halting further tree removal and course closures at East Potomac Park in Washington, D.C..