“Switch” – A Short Film by Kyle Schmalenberg

Baha’i Blog is proud to present “Switch”, a short film made by Kyle Schmalenberg.

The film is based on a poem that was written purposefully to cast a negative shadow when it’s read one way, and the opposite feeling when read in reverse succession. The lines and words are the same; the only thing that changes is the direction and inflection of the words that are read.

This video was inspired by this quote by Abdu’l-Baha:

Lift up your hearts above the present and look with eyes of faith into the future! Today the seed is sown, the grain falls upon the earth, but behold the day will come when it shall rise a glorious tree and the branches thereof shall be laden with fruit. Rejoice and be glad that this day has dawned, try to realize its power, for it is indeed wonderful! God has crowned you with honor and in your hearts has He set a radiant star; verily the light thereof shall brighten the whole world!

The poem invites us to see the hope, possibility and potential in the things that need to change and get better. Like all things, when looking at the state of the world and humanity as a whole, there are multiple ways to view them. We can choose to look at these images through a lens that paints a sad, more hopeless picture, or we can choose to look at those same images through a different lens and see where there is good. Most importantly, see that it can be changed and that we can change it.

“Switch” was commissioned by Baha’i Blog, and you can check out our other great original content by subscribing to Baha’i Blog’s YouTube channel to see more awesome Baha’i-inspired content.

Below are the words of the poem used in the film:

“SWITCH”

PART I

I should just stop caring
I will never believe that
I can make a difference.
Everywhere I look
I see things that make me sad
I won’t be the one to say
Things can be changed. I can change them
Whenever I think that,
“There is nothing more powerful than love”
That’s the lie
“This is the way things have to be”
The world will come together as one
Isn’t true, and
“No one even cares”
So one day I will convince you
That you cannot change a thing
They say
You will realize
Complacency
Is more important than
Courage
From what I see
The power of peace
Will not conquer
The endurance of greed
We are living in a world worth saving?
No one is willing to save it
Look…
Where has our humanity brought us
Can’t anyone else see?
People shouldn’t value each other any more
You can look me in the eyes and say
Don’t pretend that
There is hope
It has been shown time and time again
This simply can’t be
Just turn around and walk the other way…

PART II (Reverse)

Just turn around and walk the other way…
This simply can’t be
It has been shown time and time again
There is hope
Don’t pretend that
You can look me in the eyes and say
People shouldn’t value each other any more.
Can’t anyone else see?
Where has our humanity brought us
Look…
No one is willing to save it
We are living in a world worth saving
The endurance of greed
Will not conquer
The power of peace
From what I see
Courage
Is more important than
Complacency
You will realize
They say
That you cannot change a thing
So one day I will convince you
“No one even cares”
Isn’t true, and
The world will come together as one
“This is the way things have to be”
That’s the lie
“There is nothing more powerful than love”
Whenever I think that
Things can be changed. I can change them
I won’t be the one to say
I see things that make me sad
Everywhere I look
I can make a difference
I will never believe that
I should just stop caring

Posted by

Laura Friedmann

Through 15 years of experience, Laura has honed a growing repertoire as a producer and media artist. Her media skills include film production, video editing and photography and as a producer she has led numerous creative projects, as well as managed and organized small and large scale events. Laura also helps deliver content to audiences through compelling and effective digital strategies including marketing approaches through design and web products. She currently lives in Toronto, Canada with her two children.