Ex Duris Gloria

Description

Boxing tournament in London. Arfi, an Afghan boxer, glances at a crinkled photograph of her family before entering the ring. The bell rings. Arfi does well, landing a few hits and defending herself. In the break, Arfi struggles to understand her coach\'s advice. Fayeem, a boxer unable to participate due to a broken nose, translates for her. Arfi remembers getting thrown in ice water and Fayeem laughing with a group of boxers before she punched him. Fayeem tells her she must win as an apology. She replies that it’s not for him. The second round begins and she tries to focus again. Her opponent lands a hit on Arfi’s head. Arfi grazes her nose. In her corner, her coach scolds her for holding back. Fayeem dumps a water bottle over Arfi’s head. Arfi goes into a flashback. Arfi is in the ocean. The dinghy sinks. Other refugees are in the water. Arfi yells her brother’s name. Arfi fights hard and wins this round. Fayeem takes his phone out. Arfi remembers washing dishes, and scrubbing floors, only for her new phone to get robbed. The coach wants to throw more water on her. Arfi protests and demands that he respects her more. They argue and he threatens to kick her out like the previous coach. She fights with fury. Her opponent goes down, and Arfi is underwater again, seeing her brother sink deeper and deeper below her. The opponent gets up again in the next round and lands a liver punch. The round ends. She remembers her brother helping her get on the dinghy, promising glory at the end. She refuses to give up. Arfi manages to knock her opponent out after a tough round. She goes in and out of flashbacks, from swimming to the surface to doing thankless jobs in London to her mother making tea in Afghanistan.As the winner, Arfi gets the microphone and reveals her wish for her family to see her and for them to know she survived the journey. Journalists and photographers hang onto every word. Fayeem films her on his phone. Her coach nods at her with newfound respect. Exhausted, Arfi goes to the dressing room and, after a moment of hesitation, gets under the shower. She closes her eyes. After a few weeks, her brand new phone starts to ring. A number from Afghanistan is calling.

Biblical Connection

James 1:2 - 12 Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him. Right before Arfi and her brother board the dinghy to cross the Mediterranean Sea, he tells her that glory will come after suffering. After his death, Arfi clings to those words. Her love for her brother keeps her faith alive despite the hardship of being a lonely refugee. She believes there will be a light at the end of the tunnel. The boxing match is the final test of her faith and a culmination of her pain and struggles.