If you like movies, read this
Do you ever feel useless?
Wait, that’s a dumb question. You probably read that and answered in a low sarcastic tone, “Yeah, of course, everyone has felt that way once in their life.”
Let me rephrase that dumb question.
Have you ever stared into your future and realized that the world is changing fast and your passion will be extinct by the time you’re a legit adult?
I think that shut you up.
I’m a filmmaker. I’m in college. I want to make films for everyone that sounds interesting and thought-provoking and get people back to theaters. Instead of another comic book superhero movie or a freaky horror film or a cheesy and poorly produced spin-off or remake, I want to do original works that leave an emotional bombshell in society.
You say that they still exist? Sure, but are they doing anything?
People rather go see Rogue One than Hidden Figures. They rather go see the next big Marvel film rather than the independent film that was nominated for a couple of Oscars. They rather go see killing and horror and stupid comedies that stupefy and frighten audiences than see movies that evoke emotion and human trust and the good parts of life.
I am trapped by this dilemma too. I’m so focused on franchises and new animated movies that I am blind to the jewels and gems of movies that come out that really mean something. Movies like Forrest Gump that focuses on the simple joys in a crazy life. Movies like Dances with Wolves that concentrates on human struggle and how we overcome social and cultural boundaries to create peace and love. Movies like The Last Castle that highlight overcoming fears and standing up not only for what is right, but also standing up when no one else will. Instead we see weak versions of these themes in the franchise and big-production movies that are overshadowed by dirty and sexual jokes and over-budgeted action scenes.
Now take a step back. What is this doing to us as a population? We are being affected by the movies we watch. We talk in comedic jargon now because it’s the language of popular movies. We have had shootings because it looks so easy in movies and the people who hold the gun against the enemies are portrayed as heroes, but who are the enemies in reality? It’s opinioned, which makes it even more dangerous. We want to see fights because we expect them to be as grand as they are in the movies. All these thoughts are from the new popular genre of films.
Now what if the popular films were the feel good movies that were meant to encourage humanity instead of terrify or make fun of? We could be more peaceful, more honest. We could have universal morals that would improve our society for only the better. Films like those are what should be important, not whether Captain America can really stand a chance against Iron Man or whether an adult comedy is an adult comedy if there isn’t a dick joke.
I want to make impactful films, but in the society that we live in, my films will be overlooked and ignored.
Think about that the next time you go to the theaters.
