What If We Made a Deal With Peace?
A One-Week Peace Film Challenge for Everyday Peacebuilders
What if we made a simple deal — with ourselves and with each other — to do one thing for peace every day? Not something abstract. Not something political. Something visible. Tangible. Creative. Peace is not only the absence of conflict. It is presence. It is dignity. It is beauty. It is connection. And sometimes, the most powerful way to recognize it is through art. This week, I invite you to join a 7-Day Peace Film Challenge. One day. One film. One intentional act of noticing peace. Let’s begin.
Maya Lin: A Strong Clear Vision (1994)
Directed by Freida Lee Mock, this Academy Award–winning documentary follows artist Maya Lin, best known for designing the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Lin was just 21 years old when she created a memorial that transformed how a nation grieves. Instead of heroic statues, she offered a simple wall — reflective, quiet, carved with names. Her work teaches us something essential about positive peace: Peace is not about erasing pain. It is about creating space to acknowledge it with dignity.
Action for today: Create space for someone’s story. Listen without interrupting. Reflection is an act of peace.
Waste Land (2010)
Directed by Lucy Walker, this film follows Brazilian artist Vik Muniz as he collaborates with waste pickers in Rio de Janeiro. Together, they transform garbage into monumental portraits. What changes is not just the material — it’s self-perception. Dignity is restored. Voices are amplified. Peace is built when people are seen.
Action for today: See someone society overlooks. Acknowledge them. Speak their name.
Rivers and Tides (2001)
Directed by Thomas Riedelsheimer, this meditative portrait follows land artist Andy Goldsworthy. Goldsworthy works with ice, leaves, stone, and water — knowing his creations will dissolve. Peace here is balance. Harmony. Respect for impermanence.
Action for today: Step outside. Notice something fragile and beautiful. Protect it.
Playing for Change: Peace Through Music
Musicians across continents collaborate on shared songs — separated by geography, united by rhythm. Different languages. One harmony. Peace does not demand uniformity. It invites collaboration.
Action for today: Share music with someone from a different culture. Let sound build a bridge.
El Anatsui: Sculpted History
This film explores the life and practice of Ghanaian sculptor El Anatsui. Using discarded bottle caps, he creates massive shimmering tapestries. Transformation is the message. What was thrown away becomes treasure. Peacebuilders do the same with conflict — reshaping it into connection.
Action for today: Reframe a conflict. Ask: What can be transformed here?
Imagine
An experimental film directed by John Lennon and Yoko Ono. Minimal. Quiet. Conceptual. It reminds us that imagination is not naïve — it is foundational. Every peaceful system first existed as an idea.
Action for today: Imagine boldly. Write down one peaceful future you want to help build.
Tetsuo Harada: Sculpture for Peace
A film about Japanese sculptor Tetsuo Harada, whose monumental works are dedicated to global peace. His sculptures are not aggressive. They are open. Flowing. Inviting. They remind us that peace can be carved into public space — made visible.
Action for today: Peace must be seen. Peace must be shown. Peace must be heard. Peace must be built.
These films connect us to other peace makers and peace builders around the world. They show us what we can actually do for peace:
To see peace
To show peace
To hear peace
To build peace
To make peace present, we must first notice the peace that is already here. Peace is not rare. It is often quiet. So this week, let’s make a deal: One film a day. One action a day. One intentional moment of peace a day.
Please notice peace. Please make peace. And if you accept the challenge, share which day impacted you most — and tag another peacebuilder to join you. Because peace grows when it is practiced.
