I'm putting together a film course and would like to hear about any suggestions about films that explore the "meaning of life" or good essays that analyze films along these lines.
Robert at loveecstasycrime has a link to a philosophical essay by Doug Mann about Richard Linklater's Waking Life... also check out the link for Cinestatic Research's new online collection of texts TRANSMAT (but leave your film/analysis suggestions here first as this link will send you off in many philosophical directions)
10 comments:
can you give a sense of what you mean by "meaning of life" pls?
Ariadne,
Thanks for the suggestions. I will definitely post my syllabus and I'll probably start posting writings about film (mine and others).
Susanne,
By "meaning of life" I'm thinking on many levels:
1) Following Deleuze I believe that the ultimate philosophical question is "how might we live?" and I am particularly interested in any attempt to think about this open-ended question. A key in Deleuze's philosophy--and mine--is the idea of possibilities, so I am also fascinated, and worried about, those that seek to erase all difference through instituting their response as "the answer" that erases all other possibilities. These are movies that move us on a deep level causing us to ask questions that go to the root of what it means to be alive and "conscious" in this world... (for a great summary of this check out Todd May's intro to his book Gilles Deleuze: An Introduction)
2) What is needed in order to better our lives... I'm thinking of "Matewan" or "Iron Jawed Angels" that remind us of how many people put their lives on the line in order to ensure their lives would finally have meaning (especially in the sense of creating real social change)... what was their inspiration and what was their sense of the meaning of life?
3) On a much more individual level I would even think of the simple struggles we face each day in which we are faced with what the "meaning of life" is for each of us on a personal level. Perhaps a movie like "Whale Rider" or "Schizopolis"?
4) Deep spiritual questions of course are a part this as well... the other night I watched "Contact" and for me its combination of science and spirtiuality through a character that doubts, is a good example of this type of movie, or as Ariadne suggested "Waking Life" I think it is important that we not be afraid to ask those big religious questions and face our existential dilemmas--whether we are believers or doubters.
5) Following Doug Mann I'm also thinking about the potential of cinematic visions of alternate realities that cause us to question what is the "meaning of life."
Of course funny movies should definitely be considered as provocative "meaning of life" films... "Human Nature" or "Office Space" definitely address this question.
I will have to give this some thought. Seen so many movies will be hard to think of THE ones lol. Guess quickly off the top of my head, the first movie I ever saw that really made me look at movies as more than just brain candy, and instigated a huge discussion of life and ethics with my HS friends was "The Mission" with Jeremy Irons and Robert DeNiro. This will be an interesting exercise - thanx for bringing it up. =)
There are bunch that I can think of...
The Sea Inside
Burnt By the Sun
Fearless
Raise the Red Lantern
Monsieur Hire
The Isle
The Man Without a Past
Kieslowski's Trilogy- Red, White and Blue
Sex and Lucia
What's Eating Gilbert Grape
Sideways
City of God
Fa yeung nin wa (In the Mood for Love)
Children of Heaven
Taste of Cherry
the unifying theme is, of course, love.
I can't remember all the movies I've seen lol. As I was thinking on this, I realized I couldn't think of a movie that discussed life overall perhaps. I think it's how human beings treat one another, how we react to the world around us, the decisions we make that is what the meaning of life is to me. Hence, here is the list I could come up with for now:
1. Schindler's List
2. the Deer Hunter
3. One True Thing
4. It's a Wonderful Life
5. American History X
6. Kramer vs Kramer
7. Terms of Endearment
8. Driving Miss Daisy
9. Glory
10. To Kill a Mockingbird
Waking Life of course. You might also check out Why Bodhidharma Came from the West (a Korean movie). The latter has so little dialogue that it isn't too hard to watch reading subtitles.
Thanks everyone, I'm compiiling, reading and thinking about it--I'll post the movies I choose for this course...
anyone else?
"Moutain Patrol" by Director, Lu Chuan.
I just watched it, definitely...thanks
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