"No one is born with the brain of Truffaut, we grow as a cinephile in this world only." -Himanshu Rai (1985-)
Cinema as an art or a form of expression – including creative expression and timelessness. The understanding of film and filmmaking through critical, theoretical analysis (objective criticism) must be pursued. They are a bunch of heavy words, but 'how' is the main question.
Self-indoctrination in learning to 'read' a film involved watching films regularly, in various languages, from various corners of the world, ranging from the ridiculous to the sublime!. The versatile diversity of the cinema can be felt by watching movies in all languages (off-course subtitles embedded). You can feel the adrenaline rush of the action movie but sometimes pathos and ecstasy become memorable (ex-
Life is Beautiful and
The Truman Show). Movie watching is for open and broad-minded people. It has been never created for pseudo-intellectual or cult followers.
7 Point Tip:
1--*Money Matters*
-Do not go for a film by reading only one review/preview about a film. Read at least 5 to 10 reviews about it. Remember review/ preview is not only about the synopsis of the plot.
-Check the rating on
IMDB or
rotten tomatoes about the film. You will get a very sound idea about the genre and background theme of the film.
-Discuss the movie after watching it. Without sharing your feedback, the whole purpose of watching the film will be lost.
-It is not necessary for you to watch the first show on the first day unless you are a big fan of the artist or director. Wait for 2,3 days, and the word will spread by mouth to mouth about any movie. But do not get hooked by the strong conviction of friends as the taste of cinema is unique and individualistic.
-Watch
NDTV Lumiere and
UTV World Movies along with other English movie channels. And go for
DD Loksabha for good regional cinema of India.
A few websites like
Indianauteur,
Senses of Cinema,
Dearcinema, and
Passionforcinema are fully devoted to cinema lovers. Personally, I always go through them for various references.
-Illegal way but download movie from the torrents.
2-Escapism & Counter Arguments:
There is an inherent laziness in the audience and critics about films that are "about" something. We settle into a comfortable position and expect easy plots or 'armchair' cinema. The passion and pursuit for quality are lost somewhere with a loss of curiosity and wonder. It’s not a film that can be judged only by how much it entertained you, rather it’s a film that should be judged by how it made you go home and feel guilty/joyous all over again, even years after viewing. Although films may entertain, they also educate, indoctrinate, and even captivate the mind. Realizing that a movie can be experienced from a variety of perspectives—cultural, ideological, and aesthetic. The knowledgeable filmgoer should approach the experience with a receptive mind, open to the possibility of not only entertainment but enlightenment.
3-Discover for excellence and quality in the search for true cinema:
Remember, all our lives, we have been asked to believe that "quality matters, not quantity"? Similarly, in the case of movies, it is the quality (content) of the movie that matters, not its running time or skin show. No one likes the pace of Pather Panchali on viewing 1st time at the tender age of 10. It appears to be slow and dragging. A 5-year-old child cannot even understand the poetry of Kahlil Gibran, leave the appreciation part. A boy learns the alphabet, sentences, grammar, and metaphors and progressively puts his emotions in words with the upcoming age. Finally, the child becomes matures to appreciate the poetry. The same rule holds for cinema lovers. He/She must search, discuss, and learn about good movies. One will generate a taste of his own in cinema viewing, a more unique in each sense gradually.
4-Perception:
When an average moviegoer starts watching films, he views the different images of his country both geographically and timely. The perception of India as the land of elephants, Maharajas, and snakes was projected first in Western films. Then it changed to the land of yoga, Kamasutra, ganja, and Hare Rama, Hare Krishna movement. Now it's being replaced by other images like the land of slums and IT professionals. The maturation of film lovers and filmmakers happens simultaneously.
5-Solitude provokes emotion:
Some movies like '
Shatranj ke Khilari' or '
Dead Poet's Society' require the right kind of mindset and environment to be involved with it. Those who want to watch the film should make it personal and private viewing. As lovemaking is different than sex, similarly the intimacy with the subtle layer of film is made possible in solitude. The mass gathering just camphorated the feeling inherited in the film due to several interruptions or distractions. When you sit alone in the darkened room, the right mood evokes the emotion from inside you. The pathos or gentle humor of the sound or scene is deeply absorbed by the subconscious. The sense of understanding cinematic art develops inside you. I am giving emphasis on the fact that one-to-one involvement with maestro/masterpieces gives a different sense of learning to student. The silence invokes an array of thoughts harmonized with a sense of wonder and appreciation. The aesthetic feeling grows and takes your ideas in a unique way.
6-Involve yourself in learning things refined and culturally rich:
Cinema is not created just as an idea or reflection of our lives but generated mainly by our association with the characters, story, and vision of mankind. Question the norm of society and sometimes also become outraged by asking the limits of art. When you are watching any movie, look for insightful meaning also. It will not happen in the first viewing but patience pays. Patronize art, as it brings inside out while fashion brings outside in. It will help you to understand the world around you and help in evolve from regional influence to a global point of view on any matter. Do not be stuck to your lingual films, but venture into another regional and international level. You have the full potential to understand anything.
7-Cinema is an art for those who believe the film is not only about entertainment but about taking it home in your mind and you have paid for the two hours. Give the thumb down to thumb rule of any critics. Think for yourself, if my 7 steps are flawed, refine them for a better version. Learn right, not rote.
Sorry for being rude in the end,
If you like my opinions...Raise your hands, If not...then Raise your standards...!!!
'A guided tour is not a tour at all. You want to explore on your own. You want to move in the forest without any map, so that you can also be a discoverer, so that you can also come to some fresh spots for the first time. If you carry a map you always come to the spot where many have come before.'
PS:I have compiled the article by taking various lines from the widespread corner of the Internet and giving words to my personal experiences.
