Re-watched “Bridge of Spies” on my flight from Hong Kong to London, and it hits just as hard the second time.

At its core, it’s a masterclass in integrity. Jim Donovan (the American lawyer) and Rudolf Abel (the Soviet spy) are driven by a stubborn adherence to principle - Donovan to the rule of law, Abel to his quiet loyalty. Both men refuse to bend to intense political and public pressure, a level of conviction that feels incredibly rare nowadays.

My favorite takeaway remains the story of the "Stoikiy Muzhik" - the "Standing Man" or the guy who gets beaten down repeatedly but just keeps standing back up until his captors eventually give up.

When Abel is asked if he's worried about his fate, he just asks, "Would it help?"

A brilliant reminder that when the world goes sideways, the best thing you can do is just stand your ground. 🎬✈️