After reading “Leaving the movie theater”, I am fascinated by Barthes’ attempt to demystify the science behind the vehement emotions resulting from the cinematic experience. Barthes is presenting spectatorship in movie theaters in a rather unconventional light while emphasizing darkness and space. “Darkness”, in the literal sense, symbolizes “twilight reverie” which leads to cinematographic hypnosis and the loss of worldliness. Moreover, the congregation of human bodies and “the erotic possibilities allowed by the crepuscular anonymity of the cinema as a space” constitutes modern eroticism which is another sense of escape from reality. Thus, cinema almost has an ideological existence that lures us and glues us to the “Reel World” and forces our escape from the “Real World”. I love how Barthes investigates the subtle details of cinema that are most of the time neglected by indifferent audiences. I have always realized the difference in aesthetic emotions and judgment provoked by the cinematic experience at theater and at home, and Barthes’ essay unmasked the magic for me. Nevertheless, it is worth noting that cinematic experiences are highly subjective as we all have our own standards and interpretations influenced by our culture and environment.
Jiankai Gong
UID: 3036086373
Nice summary on Barthes’ essay and his main ideas. You have explained the hypnotic experience of going to the movie theatre thoroughly and I appreciate your personal reflections on this subject and thoughts on how a movie theatre differs from that of watching a movie at home.