I am beginning to think that film makers coming out of Central Asia have a better understanding of their people and their struggle than anyone out there. I say this because Central Asian films are all about the story; the emotions behind the struggles. That's not to say they don't reek of cinematic genius, because they do. Movies like Mongol, Orator and You Are Not an Orphan, speak to that. I'm talking about the fact these movies are heartfelt and not just for show.
Now, perhaps I'm getting a little ahead of myself and I apologize if I am, but I think major filmmakers in Hollywood could learn a thing or two from these producers in Central Asia. Americans have made some truly moving picture depicting the human struggle. Recently on the ReLife channels, Schindler's List and The Pianist have been playing. Now these movies were about a time that my generation wasn't able to experience firsthand, but the emotions we see in them is real enough for us to understand those personal struggles. Central Asia has that ability in spades. The ability to draw you into their movies because of the human emotions that are so prevalent. I might be bored sometimes watching these movies becauses, well to be honest they tend to confuse me a little bit, but I always find the relatioships in these movies terribly fascinatiing because they seem so real and so raw. I find myself paying more attention to how they interact, rather than the actual plot of the movie. And sometimes that's ok! Because the human condition, the ability to love and hate and sympathize and conquer our fears; the ability to feel such opposite emotions at the same time; it's intriguing to watch. And that is why Central Asian films, even though I may not like all of them, are able to keep my attention. They get human emotions and aren't afraid to go there.
Now, perhaps I'm getting a little ahead of myself and I apologize if I am, but I think major filmmakers in Hollywood could learn a thing or two from these producers in Central Asia. Americans have made some truly moving picture depicting the human struggle. Recently on the ReLife channels, Schindler's List and The Pianist have been playing. Now these movies were about a time that my generation wasn't able to experience firsthand, but the emotions we see in them is real enough for us to understand those personal struggles. Central Asia has that ability in spades. The ability to draw you into their movies because of the human emotions that are so prevalent. I might be bored sometimes watching these movies becauses, well to be honest they tend to confuse me a little bit, but I always find the relatioships in these movies terribly fascinatiing because they seem so real and so raw. I find myself paying more attention to how they interact, rather than the actual plot of the movie. And sometimes that's ok! Because the human condition, the ability to love and hate and sympathize and conquer our fears; the ability to feel such opposite emotions at the same time; it's intriguing to watch. And that is why Central Asian films, even though I may not like all of them, are able to keep my attention. They get human emotions and aren't afraid to go there.
I really like what you said here and I believe you did hit the nail on the head. I find these films to be a little confusing as well because often they lack that traditional narrative structure Hollywood uses. Often times these films we've been watching really do not even have a plot they are literally like a slice of life. Because of this I think we get at the heart of the characters. We may not completely understand the story or plot but we get to know the characters so well and we gain an understanding of the countries as well.
ReplyDeleteI think your right. Anything that has to do with human emotion is intriguing I mean just take for instance any bio pic. Bio pics are infamous for this because they convey feeling and human life as a whole. As soon as you can put yourself in someones place you have reached success and I think thats what CA films do. They want you to feel as if you were there at that very moment and like you were the character.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you. I am the same way with these films. I don't always understand everything about them, but all of the films that we have seen this semester have been good at expressing human emotion and making the viewer feel like a part of the story, as though you are witnessing the characters' struggles and triumphs right along with them. I do think that there are American films that can be looked at in a similar way, but the Central Asian films definitely stand out in terms of conveying emotion and creating situations that the audience can easily connect with.
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