Written in partnership by Sarah Padbury (Izidor Story) and Jason Johnson (Christian Alliance for Orphans)
For more information, visit www.cafo.org
A powerful story of belonging, courageous kindness and hope.
SCREENING EVENT GUIDE
CONTENTS
Introduction
Accessing the Film
About Izidor Ruckel
How to Use this Guide
Part One: Opening + Welcome (10 minutes)
Part Two: View the Film (30 minutes)
Part Three: Observations + Reflections (10 minutes)
Part Four: Belonging (10 minutes)
Part Five: Courageous Kindness (10 minutes)
Part Six: Hope (10 minutes)
Part Seven: Closing + Next Steps (10 minutes)
Addendum: Answer Hints
Introduction
THE STORY
Eight-year-old Izidor is a disabled orphan trapped in a world of animation. He lives in a hidden asylum where “defective” children are banished and abused in 1988 communist Romania. Izidor spends his days staring out the window at a world he is not allowed to touch. That is, until the day nanny Onisa takes him home for the night.
Once they step outside the asylum gate, the world mysteriously transforms into live action – it’s real! Izidor is spellbound by the sights and sounds of nature and village life. He delights in the beauty of love and belonging in Onisa’s family.
But all too soon, Izidor remembers where he really belongs. Was Onisa’s courageous act of kindness a terrible mistake? Or was it a sacred turning point?
The film is inspired by the true story of Izidor Ruckel. Abandoned as a baby after contracting polio, he spent his childhood in one of Romania’s state-run orphanages. After the 1989 Romanian Revolution, Western journalists revealed the suffering of thousands of children hidden away in these institutions. At age eleven, Izidor was adopted by a U.S. family and later became a powerful advocate for vulnerable children and people with disabilities, using his story to bring hope and change around the world. Visit IzidorRuckel.com for more information.
THE RESPONSE
Our goal is for your church to use the IZIDOR film as a catalyst, a way to spark meaningful “Next Steps” or a clear “Call to Action” in caring for vulnerable children. This film is not an end in itself, but a powerful beginning: a shared experience that can open hearts, awaken compassion, and inspire movement. You can easily pair the film with initiatives your church is already engaged in, or let it serve as the springboard for launching something new. The film is not just something to watch; it’s an invitation to reflect deeply and respond with action.
The film tells the story of one child in a very specific time and place — a destitute institute in 1980s communist Romania. It won’t answer every question about the struggles vulnerable children face today, but it will open our eyes to realities many children experience, spark new questions, and invite us into deeper reflection.
This guide is designed to facilitate discussion immediately after viewing the film, drawing on the real-time emotions, reflections, and observations of those who watched it together. It provides a safe space for participants to ask questions, share ideas, and process the deep and often raw feelings the film may stir. The discussion concludes by inviting viewers to respond to your preplanned Call to Action, transforming the impact from a moment on screen into real life.
Accessing the Film
The following section outlines four simple things to do in order to access and stream the film.
1. CHURCH PACKAGES: Stream Film + Access Guides
Click here to explore church licensing packages. Each license includes streaming the film for public events hosted at your church, along with access to accompanying church guides.
https://izidorstory.com/host-screening/
2. STREAMING INFORMATION
Use the emailed instructions from your purchase to log in and stream the film.
Scan the QR code to explore church licensing packages.
The film will be streamed (not downloaded) so an internet connection is required for playback. You may choose the format that best fits your setup: standard HD works well for most churches, while the higher-resolution 4K option is best for larger screens and faster internet speeds.
3. “TOO KIND” MUSIC VIDEO
“Too Kind,” by Dave LeMieux, was written to accompany the film IZIDOR and played during the event after Part 6. It speaks to those walking through hard seasons while serving vulnerable children, offering hope and encouragement. You’ll find a link to the music video in your emailed instructions.
4. EVENT DAY TECH & SETUP CHECKLIST
• Confirm internet connection is stable for streaming.
• Run a short playback test of the film (beginning and ending) on the equipment you will be using. Do the same for the music video.
• Test projector/TV or screen for picture clarity.
• Check sound levels in the actual room, adjusting for audience size.
• Darken the room as much as possible to reduce distractions.
• Have backup cables, adapters, and extension cords available.
• Test microphones (if using) and ensure batteries/spares are ready.
• Set seating so everyone has a clear view of the screen.
How to Use This Guide
This guide is based around some key themes presented in IZIDOR along with some other major concepts to process immediately after viewing the film. Ideally, it’s intended to be used in a small group setting where viewers can discuss and process together. The topics and questions are intended to promote discussion but not to be exhaustive—feel free to use some of them, all of them, or none of them—and feel free to add your own questions as they come to mind.
The following offers practical guidance for creating an interactive group environment where these conversations can take place in a healthy and supportive way.
1. FACILITATOR-LED
This guide is intended to be as accessible and user-friendly as possible so that any group can pick it up and use it. All you need is someone willing to facilitate. This means they have watched the film prior to the screening event and familiarized themselves with the questions and topics in the guide. The material is written so that the bulk of the time is spent in group discussions, not facilitator-led instruction.
2. A DISCUSSION STARTER
This guide is designed to spark meaningful discussion, not provide an exhaustive study. Its purpose is to capture viewers’ immediate reflections after the film and use them as a catalyst for honest, encouraging conversation.
3. GUIDELINES
Your group, whatever its format, needs to be a safe place to share, process and be vulnerable with one another. Many of the topics discussed will draw out deep emotional responses and raw feelings—all of which require a healthy environment in order to be processed. In that light, here are a few suggested ground rules designed to help make your group experience positive and encouraging for everyone:
Commit to confidentiality. What’s shared in this group stays in this group.
Refrain from offering unsolicited advice. Assume the role of encourager; coach only when requested.
Use “I” statements rather than “you” or “we” statements. The objective is for all participants to be personally vulnerable and encouraged, not to make generalizations.
Leave room for everyone to speak. Allow all to participate . . . but no one to dominate.
Avoid trying to give the “right” answers; focus more on giving “honest” answers. Transparency will make your time richer and more effective.
3. RECOMMENDED AGE LIMIT
This story includes references to child abuse that may be emotionally challenging for some individuals. Viewer discretion advised. We recommend the film for children ages 12 and older.
5. LOGISTICS
Advertise your event:
Promote your event through social media, church bulletins, and your website. Use the graphics and sample text provided in the resource link to make promotion simple and effective.
Plan for a 90-minute event:
The film is 30 minutes long. The pre-film and post-film discussion will take about 60 minutes. In total your event should be planned for at least 90 minutes.
Consider the environment:
For this event, circles are better than rows. The goal is to promote discussion, so ensure your environment is a comfortable room with round tables, or chairs set up in such a way that people are face-to-face and able to interact with one another more easily.
Hospitality:
You may also consider adding some other elements to your screening that make it most inviting and welcoming. Perhaps it’s a meal, coffee and desserts or some snacks. In addition, for families with young children, childcare can be a barrier. If possible, provide childcare so parents can fully engage with the film and discussion.
Next Steps:
The goal of the film is not merely awareness, but also action. The “Next Steps” portion of your event is crucial. You should already have next steps in place before hosting the screening event. Be sure to leave at least 10 minutes at the end of the evening to discuss ways you have identified for people to take their next best steps forward.
Helpful Tip: If the schedule starts to run behind, skip the “share your answer” part of the Topic Transition sections in order to safeguard the Next Steps time at the end.
6. MATERIALS
Font Key:
The REGULAR TEXT content are instructions only for you as the facilitator. The BOLD DARK GREEN TEXT content are things you will want to communicate to the audience. Participants will not see this content in their material.
Participant Guide:
A Participant Guide is available for every member of the group to follow along with discussions, take notes, and keep with them after the event for further reflection.
Discussion Questions:
The goal of this event is to utilize the film and the guide to promote discussion among participants. Each section will have discussion questions for groups to use, but do not feel the pressure to get through all the questions. They are there to catalyze reflection and conversation, not to be a list to get through. Take your time on the ones that are most helpful for the group.
Sound of Hope Engagement Campaign Guide PART ONE
Opening + Welcome
(10 minutes)
Welcome and local announcements.
These are highly contextualized to your own church or ministry and offer an opportunity for people to settle in and prepare for the event.
Inform the audience of the following:
• If viewers are not already in small groups, have them organize themselves now into groups of 4-6 for the post-viewing discussion.
• The movie length is 30 minutes and the discussion following will be a series of discussion topics totaling 60 minutes.
• Small group discussions will start immediately following the film with no break.
Get to know each other.
This is a good opportunity for those in the room to get to know others in attendance. Depending on group size, this could be done with the entire room, or it could be done in the context of smaller table groups. Consider opening with an icebreaker that helps those in groups get to know each other more. This will be important as they will be reflecting and sharing deep and personal things with one another throughout the event.
ICE BREAKER LEAD-IN
• Here’s a ready-to-use set of four icebreaker questions. They’re designed to guide participants naturally from lighthearted connection into more thoughtful reflection, helping them feel prepared for the kind of openness that small-group discussions will invite. Of course, feel free to adapt these or use your own.
• Tell the audience upfront: “We’ll start light and fun, and then move a little deeper to prepare us for the kind of conversations the film might spark.”
• Allow people to pass if they’re not ready to share. That permission alone helps them feel safer.
• Remind them that listening is as important as speaking — this sets the tone for the deeper post-film discussions.
• Consider putting the ice breaker questions up on the screen, if available.
ICEBREAKER FLOW
1. What’s your go-to comfort food when you’ve had a rough day?
2. Who is one person or place that always makes you feel like you belong?
3. Can you share a small act of kindness someone showed you that stuck with you?
4. Think of a time you had to be brave or step outside your comfort zone — what helped you do it?
Transition
Start to bring everyone back together and invite them to get comfortable as you prepare to show the film. Remind them that their time of getting to know each other was important as they’ll be spending the remainder of the event together talking, reflecting and sharing in their groups.
Helpful Tip: Remind viewers to silence their phones.
Sound of Hope Engagement Campaign Guide PART TWO
View the Film
(30 minutes)
Play the IZIDOR Film
Use the emailed instructions from your purchase to log in and stream the film. Run the film all the way through the final credits for the final on-screen scene.
Helpful Tip: Do not feel the pressure to immediately transition from the end of the film into the next phase of the evening. Allow participants to sit quietly for a moment and reflect on what they just experienced.
Then, gently transition into Part 3.
Sound of Hope Engagement Campaign Guide PART THREE
Observations + Reflections
(10 minutes)
After you have allowed the audience a moment to process the movie, begin to transition their focus towards others in their circle or around their table. This is where they will spend the remainder of their time.
To facilitate this, instruct the audience:
In your groups, please take a moment to share your initial thoughts and feelings about the film.
Consider putting these example questions on the screen for participants to discuss with one another (and remember, the goal is to promote discussion, not get through as many questions as possible):
• What were you feeling as you watched the story of Izidor?
• What were you wanting to happen in the film that did happen?
• What were you wanting to happen that did not?
• What was the most powerful or memorable part of the film for you?
• The film utilizes animation and live action to communicate a message. What message did these visual components communicate to you?
• Were there any characters in the story that you particularly related to? In what ways?
Helpful Tip: Toward the end of this discussion, give each group a stack of one-pager Participant Guides, one per person. Or, have another person pass them out while you do the Topic Transition below. (Please do not pass them out before playing the film, as they will spoil the plot.)
Topic Transition
Share your own impression of the film (if comfortable). In particular, what theme or idea stood out to you most and what emotion or feeling did that invoke? This film evokes strong emotions. For me personally…
Then conclude:
Let’s turn to our groups and talk about the film’s themes to better understand our own reactions. You can follow along with your Participant Guide. We will spend 10 minutes on each topic.
Belonging
Sound of Hope Engagement Campaign Guide PART FOUR
(10 minutes)
The tagline to the IZIDOR film is “to belong is to be alive.” Central to the story of Izidor, and so many other children like him who find themselves in a place of vulnerability, instability and uncertainty, is the pervasive belief that they do not belong anywhere or to anyone. They are alone, isolated in their experience and without the support of caring people who offer the hope of belonging.
The tagline of the film is “To Belong is to be Alive.” In your groups, talk about the following:
(These discussion points will be in the Participant Guide. It may also be helpful to have them displayed on the screen for the room to see.)
• What is belonging and how does Izidor experience belonging?
• How do Onisa, Dragos and their children create a space of belonging?
• How does experiencing a sense of belonging make Izidor “come alive?”
• Describe an experience in your life where you felt like you truly belonged.
• Describe an experience in your life in which you felt like you absolutely did not belong.
• In what ways are “belonging” and “fitting in” different? What connection do you find between a person’s identity and their sense of belonging?
Topic Transition
Ask the audience: Can I have one person share an answer for the question, “How does belonging make Izidor ‘alive’?”
After they share, conclude with this statement: Izidor’s need for belonging humanizes him to us because we all have the need to belong.
Sound of Hope Engagement Campaign Guide PART FIVE
Courageous Kindness
(10 minutes)
The film does not minimize the difficulties that are often in store for those working to care for vulnerable children. It makes clear that this path requires a great deal of commitment, time, and sacrifice. Specifically, Onisa and her family model a beautiful picture of courageous kindness on behalf of Izidor.
Kindness is different from being nice. Kindness takes courage because it costs us. It requires personal risk with no guarantee of reward. Discuss the following in your groups:
• How does Onisa display courageous kindness in the film?
• Why is Dragos’ interaction with Izidor important to the story?
• What do you believe motivates the family’s kindness?
• What do you think are the differences between being nice and courageous kindness?
• Describe an experience in your life when someone was courageously kind towards you. How did you feel at the time? How do you feel about it now?
• Describe a time when showing kindness required you to take a risk or show courage.
Topic Transition
Ask the audience:
Can I have one person share an answer to the question, “What motivated Onisa’s kindness?”
Back in your groups, let’s talk about the final major theme of the film:
Sound of Hope Engagement Campaign Guide
Hope
(10 minutes)
The film ends with Izidor, now in his 30s, coming back to the orphanage and facing who he was in contrast to who he has become. The scene is bathed with the presence of Hope - hope that hard things do not have to be final things.
While Onisa is noticeably absent at the end of the film, her impact is not. The seeds of hope she planted took root, bore fruit and changed the trajectory of Izidor’s life forever. Discuss the following in your groups:
• What is the outcome for Little Izidor of his day out with Onisa’s family?
• Why does Big Izidor need to find Little Izidor?
• How do you think Big Izidor felt when he left the room?
• Why is it significant that Christina and Big Izidor take a bite from the apple?
• In the film, the other nanny disapproved of Onisa’s actions, stating, “And you think I’m the cruel one?” Oftentimes when we step out in faith, those close to us don’t understand or can even be antagonistic. How do you handle that?
• Describe a time in your life when you had to hope for something that was beyond your ability or control, and who helped you move forward.
Topic Transition
The film ends with Big Izidor returning to the hospital to face himself and his past trauma. Despite the distressing memories, he leaves with peace as the hope sparked by Onisa’s actions decades earlier is reignited in him
“Too Kind” - by Dave LeMieux
Tell the audience:
Before we move into Next Steps, we want to share a song written especially for this film. The journey of caring for vulnerable children can feel uncertain — even risky — but this song is a reminder to hold on to hope and stay the course.
In the song, you’ll hear the phrase “coal upon the head of enemies.” It comes from the book of Romans:
Scan the QR code to listen to “Too Kind” by Dave Lemieux
‘If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.’ ROMANS 12:20
In the ancient world, people carried live coals on their heads to rekindle fires at home. Giving someone coals wasn’t punishment — it was generosity, sharing lifegiving fuel when they needed it most.
With that in mind, let’s listen together…
Play “Too Kind” video
Sound of Hope Engagement Campaign Guide PART SEVEN
Closing + Next Steps
(10 minutes)
Some films resolve with a neat bow; IZIDOR does not. It is not a conclusion—it is a doorway. In half an hour, it pulls you into the raw ache of abandonment and the fierce beauty of belonging, leaving you with a question that will not let you go: What now?
Onisa and Izidor’s journey shows us what can happen when we change our focus from trying to solve a “problem” to seeing a “person.” Onisa doesn’t see a room full of faceless “irrecoverable children.” She sees a little boy - and moves to serve that one child. She didn’t change his circumstances, but she gave him something that changed his life: hope.
Psychologists have found that hope is essential for overcoming life’s struggles. Research shows that hopeful thinking is one of the most important foundations of success – more important than intelligence, skill or previous success. Best of all, hope is a “learned response,” so anyone can embrace it for change.
(Hope Theory, founded by Dr. Charles R. Snyder)
The Bible puts it like this:
“There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off.”
(PROVERBS 23:18)
“And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.” (ROMANS 5:5)
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (ROMANS 15:13)
Like Onisa, we can bring hope and change to vulnerable children through stepping out of our comfort zones with courageous kindness.
We want to conclude our time together by ensuring you know where and how to take your next steps in response to what God is leading you to do. But before we do that, we want to pray for the clarity and courage we need from Him to know what He’s calling us to do, and to do it.
Helpful Tip: Have your “next steps” ready to present - either on screen, via a handout or in some other form people can see and interact with. Prepare to walk participants through them in this closing section.
1. Call to Action
Present your Call to Action (or invite the person best suited to share it) with energy and clarity. Keep it to 3–5 minutes, focusing on what participants can do next. This brief format leaves space for group discussion while keeping momentum. Providing a handout or slide printout ensures everyone leaves with concrete, practical steps they can act on right away.
Here are some suggestions for a Call to Action:
With Existing or New Church Ministries:
If you are a local church or organization, utilize this time to:
• Invite your people to engage in those programs or ministries your church is already involved with, or…
• Leverage the film as an opportunity to launch new programs, initiatives or partnerships.
With IZIDOR Film Resources: (coming soon!)
Consider the different ways and opportunities you can leverage the power of IZIDOR to create pathways for your people to:
• Become Foster or Adoptive Parents: Use the 5-Session Biblical Study Guide to explore how and why we are the arms and feet of God, called to serve and help the vulnerable in the world.
• Get Trauma-Informed Trained: Use the 5-Session In-Depth Psychology Guide to better understand the impact of trauma on children and how to bring healing through informed care.
• Engage Groups in Your Church: Use any of the 1-session guides for youth groups, foster care/adoption support groups, staff training, small groups, etc.
• Inspire Community Collaboration: Bring IZIDOR to other churches, small groups, schools, or community settings to host a screening.
With The Christian Alliance for Orphans:
IZIDOR has partnered with The Christian Alliance for Orphans (CAFO), a global alliance of nearly 300 faith-based child and family serving organizations and an extensive network of churches, to ensure you have the pathway you need to take your next best steps in response to how the film has moved and inspired you.
CAFO provides world class resourcing and meaningful connections to help churches, organizations, networks, communities, families and advocates be equipped to care for vulnerable children and families with excellence.
A few CAFO resources uniquely designed to help your church care well for vulnerable children and families include:
A Field Guide for Strategically Rallying Your Church Around Vulnerable Children and Families
MISSION WISE BOOK
cafo.org/resources/mission-wise-scripture-science-and-serving-the-worlds-mostvulnerable/Mission Wise curates today’s best practices and principles to give you clarity and confidence to take the next step forward in your global mission strategy.
CAFO Summit
summit.cafo.org/
The nation’s largest gathering of Christian leaders, professionals and parents who are passionate about effective care for vulnerable children and families.
PURE RELIGION SUNDAY
cafo.org/purereligion/pure-religion-sunday/
A day of unity to reflect God’s heart for the orphaned and vulnerable the second Sunday of November and throughout the year. Download the Field Guide here.
To learn more about CAFO and access the network of books, courses, and partner ministries to help you move from inspiration to impact, visit cafo.org.
2. Let’s Start with Prayer:
As you consider what next steps God may be inviting you to take, it’s important to do so in a posture and position of prayer. Let’s spend a few moments doing that now, specifically praying for two things: clarity and courage. Clarity to know what God would have us do and the courage we need to do it.
Invite groups to pray with one another. They can either designate one person to pray or invite anyone in the group to briefly pray.
Helpful Tip: You can use the scriptures below to lead into short prayer times for each of the prompts: clarity and courage. Perhaps read them as you lead into a short prayer time, have them on the screen and remind participants they can find them in their Participant Guide.
A Prayer for Clarity (1 Minute)
James 1:5 - “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.
In those moments or seasons of life where clarity and wisdom is needed, there’s an assurance in scripture that we can approach God confidently and ask for those things.
A Prayer for Courage (1 Minute)
Proverbs 3:5-6 - “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.
These passages seem to suggest that clarity (“make your paths straight”) comes on the other side of courage (don’t lean on your own understanding, acknowledge Him in all your ways, etc.)
Helpful Tip: Transition now into highlighting practical next steps participants can take after the event. Be prepared to have relevant sign up opportunities and promotional material available for the initiatives, programs, events or resources you want people knowing about or registering to participate in.
3. Exercise: Personal Response
The participants guide includes a short personal response section called “My Courageous Next Steps.” Take a moment to draw attention to it and allow attendees some time to reflect on and write down their responses to the prompts.
Answer Hints
If your groups are struggling to answer the questions (or are very shy!), below are some hints for the facilitator to help the discussion move along.
PART THREE: OBSERVATIONS + REFLECTIONS
Responses will look different for each participant, and that variety of perspective is valuable. This section is designed to help viewers voice their own thoughts and emotions, creating a space for open dialogue. By sharing what stood out to them, participants can begin connecting the film’s themes to their own lives and exploring how those themes continue to shape them today.
PART FOUR: BELONGING
1. What is belonging and how does Izidor experience belonging?
Belonging is the sense of acceptance and security a person experiences when they are included in a group. This knowledge and a feeling of “I am important to these people” is what gives a person a sense of identity and encourages authenticity. In most societies, people experience a basic identity of belonging to a family, first and foremost.
Izidor experiences belonging in the way Onisa treats him like a son, from patting his head to making a delicious dinner in his honor and tucking him into bed. Her family also includes him and treats him with love and respect as they play and eat together. No one makes fun of his disability or lack of experience out in the world, making him feel safe to ask questions and be authentic.
2. How do Onisa, Dragos and their children create a space of belonging?
Onisa (Mother): She intentionally prepared to welcome Izidor by making plans to bring him home and ensuring his basic needs were met — a warm bed, good food, and proper clothing. More than that, she prepared her own family’s hearts to include him, modeling compassion and creating a safe environment where he could feel cared for and accepted.
Dragos (Father): As the father, Dragos was deeply invested in Izidor’s day. From their very first meeting, he welcomed Izidor wholeheartedly. He included Izidor by leading a field trip where he could share in the joy of playing with the other children. He noticed when Izidor needed help and stepped in, such as lifting him into the tree so he could fully participate. At dinner, he set the tone of warmth and unity through prayer and even humor, using a “Dad joke” to bring ease and laughter.
The Children: They embraced Izidor by treating him as one of their own. They called him by name, invited him into their games, and showed physical affection by putting an arm around him. Importantly, they didn’t single him out or mock his differences, but instead expressed acceptance through kindness, friendship, and love.
Together, the family created belonging not through one grand gesture, but through many small, intentional acts of care and inclusion.
3. How does experiencing a sense of belonging make Izidor “come alive”?
In the hospital, Izidor is emotionless and unable to smile; he seems soulless and empty. Then he spends the day with Onisa’s family where he is included and treated as an equal. Welcomed into the family, he experiences belonging. As he walks back the next day, he is content and has come out of his shell, smiling and chatting as he walks with Onisa. When he returns to the hospital, he is devastated and it appears he might lose it all and go back to the way he was. But when Christina asks him what “home” was like, he realizes he has been changed inside, even though his circumstance remains the same. We see proof of this change when he takes a bite of the apple, smiles and shares it with Christina. He is “alive.”
Symbolically, Izidor becomes “alive” by changing from animation to live action.
4. Describe an experience in your life where you felt like you truly belonged.
[Participants share personal experiences that make them able to relate to Izidor.]
5. Describe an experience in your life in which you felt like you absolutely did not belong.
[Participants share personal experiences that make them able to relate to Izidor.]
6. In what ways are “belonging” and “fitting in” different? What connection do you find between a person’s identity and their sense of belonging?
Belonging and fitting in may look similar on the surface, but they’re very different experiences. Fitting in means changing or hiding parts of ourselves to be accepted, which leads to shallow connections because others only see the version that conforms. Belonging, on the other hand, is about being seen and valued as we truly are, without needing to pretend or perform. While fitting in depends on sameness, belonging grows out of authenticity, creating spaces where people feel safe, accepted, and connected.
PART FIVE: COURAGEOUS KINDNESS
How does Onisa display courageous kindness in the film
Onisa shows courageous kindness by choosing to take Izidor home despite the risks. Doing so was against the law, putting her freedom and her family’s safety in jeopardy. She carefully made a plan, navigating obstacles like the director, the gate guard, and even the Securitate (secret police). Beyond the external risks, she also prepared her own family to welcome Izidor into their lives. Her courage lay not only in defying authority but also in stepping into the unknown — believing that Izidor himself, as a child of immeasurable worth, was worth the risk.
Why is Dragos’ interaction with Izidor important to the story?
For Izidor, who had never seen how a healthy family functions, Dragos’ presence as an invested father was a powerful example. His leadership — praying over the meal, setting a tone of laughter and acceptance, and helping Izidor participate fully — offered a stark contrast to the neglect and harshness of the orphanage. Dragos’ involvement also shows the viewer that Onisa did not act alone; her bravery was strengthened and supported by her husband’s partnership. Together, their unity and shared risk created the environment where Izidor could first experience belonging.
What motivates the family’s kindness?
The family’s kindness is rooted in their faith. We see evidence of this in their prayer at the dinner table, Onisa’s cross necklace, and their Christlike posture toward a forgotten child. Together, they embody the biblical call to “care for orphans” (James 1:27), showing that their faith is not just words but lived out in action. Their kindness reflects one of God’s great mysteries — that He draws us to Himself not because we deserve it, but because of His mercy and love (Titus 3:4–5). By welcoming Izidor into their home with warmth, laughter, and acceptance, the family becomes a living picture of God’s grace. Their example challenges us, as viewers, to “go and do likewise” (Luke 10:37).
What do you think are the differences between being nice and courageous kindness?
Niceness is polite, safe, and often done when it costs us little. Courageous kindness, on the other hand, carries weight because it demands sacrifice and risk. It often shocks us because it goes against what seems reasonable or self-protective, leaving us asking why would someone do that? From a soldier laying down his life for his comrades, to a mother sacrificing everything for her child, to a stranger risking harm to save another — these acts inspire awe because they are born from courage, not convenience.
The difference also lies in not knowing the outcome. When we are “nice,” we can usually expect appreciation or at least a safe response. But courageous kindness involves risk, uncertainty, and vulnerability. You don’t know if your action will succeed, if it will be misunderstood, or what the long-term impact will be. It requires a step of faith — doing what you believe is right, what you feel called to do — and then leaving the results in God’s hands.
Describe an experience in your life when someone was courageously kind towards you. How did you feel at the time? How do you feel about it now?
[Participants share personal experiences that make them able to relate to Izidor.]
Describe a time when showing kindness required you to take a risk or show courage.
[Participants share personal experiences that make them able to relate to Onisa, Dragos, and the children.]
PART SIX: HOPE
What is the outcome for Little Izidor of his day out with Onisa’s family?
Although returning to the orphanage leaves him devastated, the day plants a seed of hope in Little Izidor. We glimpse this transformation when Christina asks him what “home” is like — he smiles and offers her his apple, a simple yet profound symbol. For him, home becomes like the apple: something good, nourishing, and almost unimaginable until he experienced it.
Why does Big Izidor need to find Little Izidor?
• This moment can be understood a variety of ways, including the following:
• It symbolizes Izidor confronting his past rather than running from it.
• Little Izidor reminds him that even in a place of suffering, one day of kindness and hope changed the trajectory of his life.
• It shows that his past will always be a part of him — trauma isn’t erased, but it can be faced, integrated, and healed.
• It reflects the need to honor the child within who endured so much, acknowledging his pain while also affirming his resilience.
• It suggests reconciliation — that adult Izidor must embrace his younger self with compassion in order to live fully in the present.
How do you think Big Izidor felt when he left the room?
This moment can hold many layers of meaning, including the following:
• HOPEFUL – as seen when he playfully holds up the apple and takes a bite — a symbol of life, goodness, and possibility.
• INTEGRATED – having brought closure to his younger self and carrying him forward as part of his whole story.
• RELIEVED – knowing the institution is closed and children will no longer endure what he lived through.
• SAD – carrying survivor’s guilt and wondering what became of the friends he left behind.
• THANKFUL – recognizing how far he has come and how one act of courageous kindness helped shape his future.
• RESOLUTE – determined to honor the memory of his childhood by using his voice and life to bring change for others.
• FREEDOM – His younger self shared a newfound hope with Christina, and in the same way, that same lesson becomes a gift to his adult self — freeing him from the burdens he may have carried into adulthood.
Why is it significant that Christina and Big Izidor take a bite from the apple?
It is significant that both Christina and Big Izidor take a bite from the apple because the apple becomes a symbol of hope, healing, and closure. As a child, Izidor gave Christina hope by sharing his apple — a simple act that showed he had glimpsed what “home” could be and wanted to pass that gift on. Years later, Big Izidor taking a bite shows that he has made peace with his past and carries that same hope forward into adulthood. The apple also represents continuity: what began as a small gesture of belonging in his childhood becomes a lasting reminder that kindness can grow into resilience, healing, and even joy. By biting the apple, Big Izidor closes the circle of his story, showing that while trauma is part of him, it no longer defines him. This leads Izidor to a place of advocacy as well. He is ready to give what he has learned to others.
In the film, the other nanny disapproved of Onisa’s actions, stating, “And you think I’m the cruel one?” Oftentimes when we step out in faith, those close to us don’t understand or can even be antagonistic. How do you handle that?
Stepping out in faith often means walking a road that others may not understand — and sometimes they will even oppose it. In those moments, it’s important to lean on a support team of trusted friends, mentors, or fellow believers who can encourage you and pray with you. Prayer itself becomes the anchor, reminding
us that we don’t have to know all the answers or have everything figured out; God promises wisdom when we ask (James 1:5). We also need the humility to admit we might get it wrong — but the courage to try anyway, believing that obedience is more important than perfection and sacrifice (1 Samuel 15:22). Handling misunderstandings well means being grounded in God’s truth, surrounded by people who remind us of it, and a willingness to move forward even when the outcome isn’t clear (Proverbs 3:5-6).
Describe a time in your life when you had to hope for something that was beyond your ability or control, and who helped you move forward.
[Participants share personal experiences that make them able to relate to Onisa, Dragos, and the children.]
