Barthes talks of his fascination with the experience of cinema, and how it’s aura of mystery seduces and hypnotizes him. The experience of cinema is the combination of all the elements, the delivery of sound, lighting, darkness, and the distance of the audience from the movie screen as well as the role he plays as a cinema spectator work together to transform the experience of cinema to an art form.
I believe the “hypnotic” nature of cinema attributes to man’s fascination with mystery, to find out about things that they do not know about. Cinema presents us with a peek into an alternative perspective, of people of different gender, ages, race, or social status. It helps us better identify with the people who share the journey with us, people who come from different backgrounds, with their own hopes, aspirations, and fears. The magic of movies ultimately stems from our fascination with the mystery of life.
Kong Chun Yin, Justin 3036068826
I appreciate your beautiful writing in terms of both reading analysis and personal reflection. I would suggest you dig your reflection deeper based on the title “Leaving the Movie Theater”, especially the term “leave.” Also, I am looking forward to hearing more about how you situate yourselves during watching films in the theater. Keeping rational, falling into the cinematic ideological world or other ways?