In Benjamin’s article, he discovered and introduced two different values of artworks, which are called cult value and exhibition value. The first one focuses more on an inner appreciation, like a kind of worship towards something sacred, while the second one spares more efforts to visual appreciation. During the long development of human society, the form and value of art are increasingly changing from the traditional value to a more practical one with more modern functions. And the art of film is specifically one of the most typical cases.
From Benjamin’s perspective, he thought the film indeed has its unique advantages such as visual satisfaction, spiritual encouragement and mental conveyance. However, its modernization has also led to several side-effects and disadvantages. In this article, what Benjamin emphasized most is political control, especially during the war period. To some extent, films have the power to embed some pieces of ideas into the subconscious and bring a group of people into “a united mass”. This kind of collectivization, which wraps off the individuals’ wills to form a connected and goal-aligned unity is just what the authority needs during that special period.
Apart from that, because of the digitization of this new era, mechanical copies are common even in the art field. In Benjamin’s opinion, films are regarded as an art of reproduction. When copies become a kind of new art, the reputation of “the seventh art” is also doubted by the public.
Nevertheless, from my point of view, the film is still worthy of this title. Although it is an art copying from our real lives, it can still distinguish itself through recombination and recreation, which is not a complete imitating process.
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You have a very good understanding of Benjamin’s piece, which you have read as a dialectic piece. It would be great if you could elaborate on your point of view to let us know how the piece inspired you.