Why do we watch movies?

One of the most asked questions known to mankind. Why do we watch movies? Are there any benefits of watching movies?

Today’s generation spends a lot of time enjoying movies, and this is because of multiple reasons. Firstly, movies are a way to escape reality. “Movies take us to places we’ve never been and inside the skin of people quite different from ourselves. They offer us a window onto the wider world, broadening our perspective and opening our eyes to new wonders” (McCracken, 2018). People experience daily events in different ways and therefore seek to find new ways of exploring them, and movies can inspire one to do so.

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C.S. Lewis mentions that “we seek an enlargement of our being. We want to be more than ourselves. Each of us by nature sees the whole world from one point of view with a perspective and selectiveness peculiar to himself. We want to see with other eyes, to imagine with other imaginations, to feel with other hearts, as well as with our own. … We demand windows” (McCracken, 2018). All movies are different since they can capture an audience in different ways, and make them feel all sorts of different emotions. Movies are set within a wide variety of genres. For example, horror allows consumers to feel scared, comedy, on the other hand, makes consumers feel happy and joyful. It's all about how a specific emotion is portrayed for the viewer to experience those emotions in different ways.

Do movies benefit us, or are they just tools to help us pass time? "Movies are not just a way to blow off steam. Watching a movie can be a way of appreciating art and at the same time learning lessons about ourselves and the world” (Jennings-Edquist, 2019). Films are a secret tool known to drive social change. In other words, "movies can teach viewers about experiences outside their perspective, inspire empathy, and raise politically charged questions" (Jennings-Edquist, 2019). Since every individual thinks and acts differently, movies inspire/motivate us to think or even act differently. This can be perceived as good since films can aid us in processing complex life lessons.

According to Jillian Lynch, a psychotherapist, "films provide an opportunity for viewers to recognize themselves in a character or some part of a film's narrative to undergo change" (Jennings-Edquist, 2019). Movies can be seen as a safe place, where consumers can look up to a certain character, to form a connection with a character or even observe how a character behaves or tackles a similar life obstacle. "Some viewers also find metaphors or symbols in films that help them grapple with major life challenges" (Jennings-Edquist, 2019).

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To conclude, films come in different forms, genres and have various purposes and impacts on consumers. They allow us to feel a sense of belonging. Movies have helped us to picture different ways of life by broadening our vision upon the world we live in today.

Sources:

McCracken, B. (2018, December 14). Why Do We Watch Movies? https://relevantmagazine.com/culture/why-do-we-watch-movies/

Jennings-Edquist, G. (2019, September 1). 5 very real benefits of watching movies. https://www.abc.net.au/life/benefits-of-watching-movies/10830400