There have been a couple of movies in recent memory, I can recall, that began with the unfolding of a great but unnoticed life and death drama. In these opening scenes, two small insect are battling one another, fighting with all of their will to survive, perhaps only to engage in future similar melées. In these intros, the raging struggle persists with the ultimates stakes in the wings, while the larger world continues on its way, unaware of the ultimate torment and struggle only inches away.

      Works of art are often the result of a great struggles by the artis...