“In this darkness of cinema (anonymous, populated, numerous – oh, the boredom, the frustration of so-called private showings) lies the very fascination of the film.” I relate to this sense of anonymity. I find this cinematic darkness inviting, often even comforting. I yearn to be consumed by the void of the theatre. It is an entirely different experience viewing a film in a theatre versus on a television screen in your home. For the film’s entire runtime, I am completely immersed in the world it creates, indeed as Barthes mentions it is “hypnotic”. My attention does not waver, there is no urge to observe those around me, nor is there the opportunity to do so anyways as the audience melds into one singularity. The singular light source is impossible to ignore, it doesn’t need to beg for my attention, I am “glued” to it. In moments like these nothing can come between me and the screen, it captivates me until its very last seconds, then finally released me from hypnosis.
Chung Yan Yu Yanisha 3035977733