I wonder if you saw Rocks this autumn? It is the story of a group of 14-year-old schoolgirls living in a deprived part of London. The heroine, Rocks, is easy to love, whilst also recognizing that she may not be the pupil you would most want to teach! The film tells the story of Rocks and her little brother, Emmanuel: when Rocks’ Mum deserts them, Rocks is totally alone.
Rocks tries to manage alone but eventually the inevitable happens and Rocks’ worst fears are realised. She and her brother are separated, not only in different foster homes but Emmanuel in Hastings and Rocks in London. On the day of Emmanuel’s birthday, the friends club together to pay for a train ticket to Hastings. These street wise girls all manage to travel down on this one ticket and find Emmanuel’s new primary school, where Rocks spots him in the playground. He is, however, engrossed, playing with new friends and doesn’t see Rocks. The film ends with the group of girls dancing by the sea.
This essentially sad story, nevertheless left me with hope, something I remembered when I listened to Rowan Williams talk in the Autumn Lecture Series. Rowan referred to ‘stories of lives lived with integrity even in dark times.’ Despite the bad behavior in school, stealing money, cheating Southern Region and playing truant, what shines through Rocks’ story is her love and commitment to her little brother and the love and commitment the friends have for each other.
Hope, Rowan says at one point, is a settled intention, a firm belief that happiness is possible. That is, there is somewhere we can come home to. In the future, Emmanuel’s experience of Rocks’ love and Rocks’ experience of the love she receives from her friends will help them believe that there is somewhere to come home to.
My hope for 2021 is to meet more people like Rocks and to recognise that their lives are an inspiration to keep on hoping, even hoping against hope.
Wendy Quill
