They say the five senses that we have are complimented with our command over intellect, thereby separating us from the rest of the oxygen breathing species. I shall therefore do myself good by using that.
Being a self proclaimed ‘late bloomer,’ life has been but a mere existence until this my 26th year. Don’t get me wrong, I thoroughly enjoyed my previous years. One of my many cherished memories has been of movies. But I realized my love for them only recently.
As an infant I was read fairy tales and fables in bed. In pre-school I learnt about the alphabet through pictures. School days remind me of Sudha Chandran and Raju, Tundra & the Fairy [Parts I and II :)] Or any such standout memory from a textbook if you weren't schooled in my place of birth. I refer to stories because movies to me are essentially the art of story-telling. But its beauty shines through in the combination of visuals with the auditory and the uncompromising element of emotions. Bring these three together in the right manner and you bear witness to magic!
Escapism, fantasy, self-help, fear, adrenaline, love, hate, cold facts, pleasant fiction & I can go on to the extent of being speechless. We are privileged to experience some, if not all of these in our years of living. But movies can make you enjoy these basic of human feelings in a single day! Ever done a movie marathon? If the answer is yes, then give me a high five. Do one of a genre or one of an actor and you shall find your family on the verge of throwing you out. Right then, I’d definitely do that before I go digging for potatoes, no pun intended. If permitted the luxury of a peaceful exit of course.
Watching a story unfold on screen, being on the edge of my seat, rooting for a character, only movies and to an extent TV shows are capable of these. This brings me to actors. Man! Nothing gets me more turned on than ‘Talent.’ Get me to view truckloads of it & you’d have to call the men in white coats with happy pills. Pages aren’t enough for the amount of talent present on this rock. Fewer still are captured in movies. And if they play their cards right they secure a prized place in the annals of SD cards and grey matter.
Silent films are brilliant. But most of them & even the regular ones are incomplete without a soundtrack. Just ask one Mr. Nolan and you will know. And for as long as I can remember I’ve always loved music. Movies + Music = Ultimate Match made in Heaven! Whether you watch them at home or in the cinema, alone or with company, either way you are destined for enjoyment. Appreciate and quote classic lines from a well made film or revel in finding areas of improvement in a movie less well made. You can’t go wrong. However, being a social animal by creation, the best way is with friends/family. Movies bring together people with such common interests, adding to each one’s memories. After all, life is meant to be lived to the fullest and what better way than sharing!
All of this though, in fact none of the above is possible without that most powerful of human emotions, ‘Passion: A strong amorous feeling/desire; love; ardor ’ I strongly believe that one needs a strong desire to achieve anything in life. Absolutely anything! A passion for motorcycles or sports or even a desire towards the opposite sex, (no offence to the gay and lesbian community.) kick-starts a thought process in the mind. An unfailing desire will see your thoughts shifting gears slowly but surely towards the object of desire. Heck, if I wasn't even a little passionate about movies or maybe writing I would probably never have attempted this essay. While my literary skills are no match to the talent in the industry, I’m sure I've managed to bring out the importance of passion.
I can probably never be grateful enough for being born faultless in my physicality, but then I stumble upon a short-film about someone like Nick Vujicic. And there you go..Magic!
There is something about watching a life unfold on screen. Fact or fiction, both ways you are left in awe and wonder. Wondering in retrospect, how a certain scene could bring a tear to your eye or spark an idea or tell you how to attain that someone that you secretly admire.
Movies can inspire you to do great things. Ever seen what goes on behind the scenes? Pay a visit to your local Google website and search for images of Christian Bale over the last decade. Granted he may have had help and support but undergoing drastic changes in body weight to suit the characters he enacts? Respect! Or even the evergreen Daniel Day Lewis with his consistency. Don’t forget the people working in the back offices. Stunt doubles, script supervisors, music composers, spot boys, assistants, sponsors, camera crew, writers, visual effects artists, no wonder the credit rolls are sadly almost in fine print. There’s just too much that goes into the making of a single movie. And for that I have the greatest regard, as no where else in the medium of arts do you get to see such a massive team effort spanning continents! Correct me if I’m wrong.
I for one am on a mission. A mission to spread love, care & camaraderie. Not just in my circle of influence but more so for those who do not yet have the means of enjoying the grandeur of the 35mm. My 26th year has taught me a lot about passion, a lot about myself actually! And the biggest realization is the power of movies. Proud to see myself even as a tiny speck in this marvelous industry.
Oh and today being the 14th, I hereby declare that, ‘Yes, I do love movies!’
Better late than never, right?
Happy Valentine’s folks!
