As the final credits rolled on the last movie I watched in 2023, "One Life" starring Anthony Hopkins, I found myself submerged in a sea of conflicting emotions. The film, a retelling of the remarkable story of Nicholas Winter during World War Two, left an indelible mark on my heart.

Nicholas Winter, portrayed by Anthony Hopkins, undertook a monumental task during a dark period in history. His mission: to rescue over 600 children from Poland before they could be transported to prison camps. The narrative unfolded as Winter faced the daunting challenge of finding families in England willing to take in refugee children, raising funds for their journey, and navigating the perilous route from Poland to safety in England.

Initially, anger gripped me as I watched the unfolding tragedy. The injustice of these innocent children being torn from their families, separated by the arbitrary boundaries imposed by one man – Adolf Hitler – fuelled my rage. The film vividly depicted the cruelty of a single individual who wielded the power to rip families apart and dictate the fate of those he deemed unworthy of life.

Yet, as the storyline progressed, a contrasting emotion emerged. Nicholas Winter, against all odds, emerged as the driving force behind the salvation of those 600 children. While Hitler had accomplices in his malevolent plan, Winter too had support, but he stood as the unwavering force that set the rescue mission into motion. His heart impelled him to act, fuelled by an intrinsic sense of duty and compassion.

A poignant moment in the film occurs when Nicholas Winter is invited onto a popular chat show, That’s Life, in the late 1980s. The host acknowledges his extraordinary work and asks the audience a profound question: "Would anyone in this room who owes their life to Nicholas Winter please stand up?" In a powerful display, the entire audience rises. One man, against the tide of hatred, had saved not only 600 children but had a ripple effect, touching the lives of over 6000 individuals.

This revelation struck a chord within me, prompting reflections on the power of one individual to shape the course of history. While one man, driven by malevolence, can wreak havoc and perpetrate injustice, another, fuelled by compassion and a commitment to justice, can create safety and redemption.

The film's narrative echoes a childhood hymn learned in Sunday school, with the poignant line: "You in your small corner and I in mine." It serves as a reminder that each of us holds the potential to live that one life – capable of immense injustice or boundless compassion.

As I reflect on "One Life" and its portrayal of Nicholas Winter's extraordinary journey, I am compelled to choose my small corner wisely. I choose to be the person who stands for justice, compassion, and the transformative power of one individual's actions.