Colorful British Films: “A Street Cat Named Bob,” “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them,” & “Loving Vincent”

Our first film, “A Street Cat Named Bob,” tells a true story based on the autobiographical book with the same name by James Bowen, which has touched the hearts of millions. Eventually realizing that Bob may be a stray cat, softhearted James adopts him and tries his best to take care of Bob. And what Bob does for James, as the human caregiver said, is he turns James’ life around! Supreme Master Ching Hai shed light on the virtues of adopting an abandoned animal, and her own experiences with her adopted dogs. “If we are kind to any animals, rescue them or take care of them or somehow help them in their troubled time, then we will have earned a lot of merit, not just this lifetime, but in the future lifetime. But I don’t think we should even think of merit. Like when I adopted my dogs, I only loved them so much, I just had to take them home. But I am sure if you rescue such an abandoned or distressed or injured animal, the merit is in itself.”

For our second feature, we meet some lovely creatures in the magical world of “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.” This 2016 film is inspired by J. K. Rowling’s 2001 book of the same name and directed by David Yates, who has been the director of four Harry Potter movies. As we follow the team’s adventure, admiring all the wonderful beasts Newt is taking care of, we also can’t help wondering: who really has the Obscurus?

Our last movie is the 2017 biographical animated drama “Loving Vincent.” It is the very first complete hand-painted film, and explores the life of the world-famous Post-Impressionist painter Vincent Van Gogh. In order to create the awe-inspiring film, 125 artists from all over the world spent six years hand-painting more than 65,000 oil paintings in Van Gogh’s style, frame by frame, helping to bring us right into Van Gogh’s world.

“A Street Cat Named Bob,” “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them,” and “Loving Vincent,” are three beautiful films that remind us of the God-given abilities within each of us, and of all the loving beings around us who help us realize this through their love and support.