Interestingly, people of all kinds, when getting themselves submerged into a film, are in a sub-hypnosis state of mind. The dull, cozy spaces in movie theatres successfully create an ambiance that allows the audience to fully focus on the film itself. Some viewers may be so intrigued by the plot that, with the aid of visual and sound effects, they are tricked into an ‘illusion’, considering themselves as an on-site witness or a journeyman rather than a mere viewer. That may be the reason why people like us tend to feel wobbly when back to reality. The same applies to the film crew as well. Italian dramatist Pirandello stated that an actor would be mentally ‘exiled’ and stripped off from reality as he fully immersed himself into the screenplay. Personally, I believe that directors, screenwriters, and other related personnel may also feel this way. Films are truly powerful and magical.
Ng Terence 3035791696
I liked how you translate the immersive experience of cinema (and films) as “exiled”. It resonates with what Barthes refers to as “… as if I had two bodies at the same time” (p.349). To reflect on Barthes, it is as if the cinema is also an embodiment of the “two bodies”. It acts as both an extroverted place (that welcomes the audience) and an introverted place (where we can get lost in our own world) at the same time. Do you think it is possible to recreate such an atmosphere elsewhere? What components are influential in setting the hypnotic mood of the cinema?