The Actions of Forgiveness

We recently saw the movie District 9, which is based in South Africa and mirrors what happened during apartheid. Well its been about two weeks since I saw the movie but the other day I was accosted by the memory of a scene in the movie.  I don't want to give it away for those of you who still want to see the movie but, I was struck by the display of perseverance to help.   To give up one's life in order to save another.  I just started weeping thinking about this scene.  And I am still not completely sure why this came to me when it did ( I was writing down a recipe at the time. )
But I can't help but think about what it means to follow Jesus.  So, Jesus gave His life so that we could live, cause before He showed up that was the cost of sin. . . death. And the Bible tells us that we must lose our lives to gain life. That when we put Jesus as first in our lives, in the drivers seat, that is where we will find life. 
When we follow Jesus, He asks us to do some pretty out of the ordinary things like, love people that are not easy to love, like our ethnic enemies, and the poor, to stand up against injustice.  To be like Him.
The scene in the movie just displays how difficult it is for this character to do this, to get past himself and his own needs in order to help not just one but a whole race.  Now of course I don't know if there are more selfish motives underneath, but at face value this was an amazing picture of self sacrifice, and perseverance, he kept getting hurt and cut down but he kept doing all that he could do to make safe passage for his friend. 
This last Sunday in our discussion group we spoke about forgiveness; what it takes to forgive someone and what is required from the one being forgiven.  And now after that discussion I can't help to picture this particular character in the movie, there was no sit down conversation about the wrongs that had been committed and a giving and accepting of an apology, but, to me, his actions show way more than saying he's sorry. 
I am not in any way opposed to the asking and offering of forgiveness, but I am more struck by the actions that show forgiveness on both sides of the coin, the life that is exchanged by the acts that define forgiveness.  I know that might seem a little vague but it is so situational. I guess to get more specific, when we ask Jesus to forgive us we repent, make a 180 degree turn and go the other way! The opposite of what we were doing.  What does that mean for us?
And to forgive someone, doesn't it take courage and an unseen power to truly forgive?
Just some thoughts. . .
Sorry its been so long.
Chrissy