What we see is what we become. And what we see are often a lot of films. Yet, it’s rare that we watch a movie and carefully think about how the movie affects us.
"Cinema is often a mirror by which we see ourselves"- Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu
What we see is what we become. And what we see are often a lot of films. Yet, it’s rare that we watch a movie and carefully think about how the movie affects us.
We watch movies and, knowingly or not knowingly, we learn to see the world around us through that movie’s narrative. We see a movie about war and famine, and it might shape how we perceive the world in a cynical and pessimist way. Or if we see a love story with a happy ending, we might feel optimistic and idealistic about the world.
The stories we tell and the stories we watch on screen are perhaps the building blocks of how learn to interact with the world and, eventually, how we learn to interact with ourselves.
Therefore, it is important to be extremely aware of what movies we are watching, how we are watching them, and how those movies are affecting us in return. We must learn about the intricate ways that a movie can give us new perspectives and expand our worldview. Yet, we must also understand the dangers of how a movie can convince us of false and distorted narratives. In the more unfortunate cases, movies can make us feel insecure and anxious.
Like everything else, films have two sides. Used mindfully, movies can be a tool for gaining more wisdom and connecting with others. Or used mindlessly, they can be the seed of misconception, division and disempowerment.
To learn to watch movies with more awareness and intent, we are launching the Clarion Film Club on October 9th. We will host movie screenings every Saturday at 4pm. Bay-area based filmmakers will come and show their movies and participate in group discussion with the audience. As a member, you will be able to engage in critical and intellectual discussion with the film-directors.
It will give you opportunities to meet new filmmakers from the Bay Area, make new friends and meaningful connections, and most importantly, learn how to watch movies with intention and awareness.
Membership sign-up link: https://forms.gle/PSNJuVjeitqH6mKbA