I don’t know about you, but I feel like I’ve been singing the praises of movies for a really long time. I remember when I was a little girl, my mum would always take me to the movies – preferably ones with horses in them – and I would beg her to let me stay and watch the latest blockbuster. Now that I’m a bit older, I realize how important movies are to our society. They can be a tool for social change, a way to learn more about the world around us, and sometimes the only way we can escape from the mundane tasks of life.
One of the greatest things about movies is that they can be enjoyed by anyone, regardless of race, gender, or nationality. Sadly, this is not the case in real life. According to the United Nations, over 100million women are trapped in violent relationships every year. That’s one in every five people. One in every five. Imagine how many potential victims there could have been if this violence had been prevented by a film or two.
Movies can also be a way for us to explore our identity. Some of the most prominent films of all time – like Star Wars and E.T. – were originally inspired by real events. They helped form our sense of who we are and allowed us to find our place in the world. There are so many characters in these movies that we could identify with, helping us to find the courage to be who we are meant to be.
Perhaps the most important thing about movies is that they can transport us to another place. The great Italian director, Federico Rossellini, described the cinematic experience as follows: “…cinema is the only art form that offers the possibility of genuine escape, by suspending the rigors of time and space. Traveling to another place through the magic of cinema is as close as any of us will ever come to feeling like a god.” Movies are a source of both wonder and nostalgia for us. It’s no wonder that everyone should love movies.
Why Should Everyone Love Movies?
I get asked this question a lot. People see me in a restaurant or on the street and assume I must be a rich celebrity or some kind of genius because of my constant talking about movies. Let me clear up any misconceptions right now:
Movies are not just for rich people. If you can find a way to enjoy a film, you can find a way to enjoy a movie. It’s the simple act of putting on a projector and watching a screen that makes everything worthwhile. You don’t need a big-screen TV or even a good projector to have a good time at home. All you need is a laptop or desktop computer and either a projector or a large TV screen.
The fact is, movies are very affordable. As technology has advanced, so too has home movie-making. Many laptops come equipped with a camera, as well as the software necessary for editing footage, rendering images in higher quality, and mixing sound. You don’t need a fancy studio or even a proper camera to make stunning home movies. All you need is love and a laptop.
The most expensive items required for movie-making – the camera, the computer, and the projector – can cost up to a thousand dollars. Even the cheapest ones are still a considerable investment.
The Importance of Storytelling
One of the reasons why I love movies so much is because of the way they tell stories. A TV show or a documentary can only present one side of an argument or incident. A movie is able to depict a range of emotions and thoughts, as well as the complex nature of reality. This is what makes movies such a special form of art. A movie isn’t necessarily a faithful representation of the events that took place; it can be a creative interpretation, as long as it respects the essence of what happened.
Movies also have the ability to evolve with the times. Back in the day, people used to sit through long, drawn-out introductions to each episode of a TV show, but that’s not what people want or need today. When you click on a link to a trailer or movie on social media, you’ll see lengthy captions below with elaborate descriptions of what’s going on. People want to get to the good stuff as soon as they can!
I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve seen a TV show or a movie and thought to myself, “Oh man, I wish they would’ve had a clip from this part of the movie/TV show.” Even when cinematic trailers are released well in advance of the actual movie, I sometimes find myself longing for more information about the mysterious, unknown protagonist or antagonist. This is where movies truly shine, as an opportunity to find out more about those characters while also creating a feeling of excitement and anticipation for the moviegoer. It’s all about the storytelling, and it’s something that really couldn’t be achieved any other way.
Movies Aren’t Going Extinct
Another misconception that people have about movies is that they think they’re going extinct, or at least undergoing a major transformation. This couldn’t be further from the truth. The number of people going to the movies continues to increase. If anything, the variety of movies available for us to watch is going to increase, too. The world is just experiencing a major shift in how we consume media. Hollywood studios are finally catching up with consumer demand and are starting to realize the importance of producing more content for online platforms, like Netflix and YouTube.
If anything, I think we’re going to see a massive consolidation of major companies in the near future. Netflix and Disney+, the forthcoming Disney megahit, continue to shatter records and prove that people are willing to pay for high-quality content. It’s only a matter of time before the big players figure out how to monetize the ever-growing number of people watching content on demand. These on-demand services don’t just offer movies, either. They provide all kinds of content, including TV shows, stand-up specials, documentaries, and even anime.
While it’s great that more and more people are discovering the joys of cinema, it’s also important to remember why we love going to the movies in the first place. It’s not often that one form of entertainment can encompass such a diverse array of topics, but when it comes to movies, I think we’re going to see a lot more diversity in the coming years.