Tonight I watched the French film, La Haine, Directed by Mathieu Kassovit. The film focuses on the barrios outside of Paris, where many immigrants and lower-class citizens are ushered to live. The movie follows a Jewish man (Vinz), an Afro-French boxer (Hubert), and a North African Muslim (Saïd) through their days and nights fighting against (and running away from) the police in and around Paris. While the setting is hyper-specific, the film showcases the bigger picture of police brutality, gun violence, political protests, and racism by institutions.
After the film my French roommate, Alex, and two new-found friends, Patrick and Bruno, and I all grabbed a bite to discuss our thoughts. Suddenly, I was sitting at a table with 3 film directors. My stomach felt fuzzy at the feeling. I love being surrounded by those who know more than me. More importantly, I love being surrounded by people who are experts in a specific skill. In this case: making movies.
As we were discussing the choice of a black-and-white film, the mm it was shot on, and the rhythm of the movie, Patrick said something that dialed my brain into the conversation even more.
“They took a hyper-local situation and made it universal. They spoke to so many around the world and it wasn’t forced. That’s what a good film does. It shows the patterns that exist.”
I nodded heavily in agreement.
When I look at the words written out, it seems obvious. Of course… the point of many films is to showcase bigger themes or to introduce new ideas. Though, so many fall short. So many are made to appeal to our surface-level desires (what I’d like to call our Hollywood-brainwashed-brains) without having much of a bigger meaning or story to tell.
And I am finding myself less and less interested in these films.
Because what is the actual point?
Is it obvious, or do I need to do a bit of digging?
Are they serving the ideas on a silver platter, or do I have to find the metaphors and nuances between the scenes?
Do I have to pay attention to the lighting, colors, and music?
I want to be stimulated after I indulge. I want to be confused. I want to feel varying emotions.
But this doesn’t just go for films. I find myself repeating these types of questions and having these types of desires constantly. The medium of art doesn’t matter. It could be through music, books, art museums, dance, and the list goes on.
The point is not to “get it.”
The point is to make you think. Hopefully even disagree. I think great art moves us into these positions. Great art takes something hyper-specific and shows us a bigger scheme in which it lives. Take one of my top 3 films I have recently watched, Happy as Lazzaro. This film is set in a rural Italian farm, where the main character’s community constantly takes advantage of him and his desire to help those around him. Though the acts of labor in the film are specific, the through line is one that many feel: unseen, forgotten, and used. I wasn’t crying in this film because I connect with the Italian farming community on a personal level, I cried because I had never seen a main character enact such a realistic portrayal of being “A Giver” who receives very little in return. It showed me a bigger theme, something that strikes a chord deeper in me. One maybe I didn’t know was so sensitive — and one that needed some personal attention.
This idea of digging deeper makes me think of the times I have heard people say “I am not a lyric person.” I often wonder if these people haven’t looked at the lyrics to some of their favorite works. What makes them their favorite? If we don’t know what they are saying, do we fully understand the depths of what the song could be? Do you think we need to? Personally, I think so. My curiosity burns too intensely to not ask the question. I also think it is a deep form of respect to the artists who are often creating out of a place of deep vulnerability. I’d urge anyone to go a bit deeper, you could be surprised at the poetry that has been hiding behind your favorite chords.
One of my favorite lines as of late:
And no one showed us to the land
And no one knows the where's or why's
But something stirs and something tries
And starts to climb toward the light
… Strangers passing in the street
By chance, two separate glances meet
And I am you and what I see is me
And do I take you by the hand
And lead you through the land
And help me understand the best I can?
(Echoes, Pink Floyd)
I think it’s a common idea to want to turn your brain off to consume media. And I think that is a hugely missed opportunity to see the art that has been so beautifully shared with us. To see the small moments turn into bigger themes we can all share.
well heck yeah this was fabulous