Art vs. Entertainment

I believe the greatest strength of the cinema is its ability to transport viewers to new places and times, to provoke empathy and to allow viewers to live, for a brief time, lives other than their own. Film can stimulate the intellect and incite social and political change. Film is an art form above all else.

I believe in art and its importance because I believe in life. Everyday, each of us claws our way through our own dark tunnel. Art helps shed a little light. Art is growing increasingly relevant to the survival of the human race, as the blanket of capitalism continues to cover the world, and our natural environment continues to move closer towards total annihilation. In this day and age, more than ever, we need artists whose ideas can spark the revolution needed to bring about the necessary changes that will ensure the survival of life on Earth.

With these thoughts in mind, it is easy to criticise the current state of the cinema, with the majority of films produced today being nothing more than cogs in the capitalist machine. And yet, we still go. Why?

The obvious answer is that people, in general, would rather escape the problems of the world rather than face them directly. This is true, but I believe there is more to it than just that.

Think about this question: If art is about life, and life consists simply of the creation and analysis of art, then aren't we just spinning our wheels?

As an avid filmlover for many years, I can honestly say that some of the best memories of my life have come from the cinema. I am in love with the very idea of a movie, of capturing a piece of life and projecting it onto the screen. And some of the best films I have ever seen have been completely devoid of social or political importance. They may not improve my life or my understanding of it, but they have certainly made it feel a little more rewarding to get up in the morning.

So what is my point? Art and entertainment cannot exist without each other. Certainly Hollywood and the general public need to understand that film must be taken more seriously, and better films must be made more readily available. But we should not give up on the idea of escapist entertainment. I am not saying every film that exist for the sole purpose of keeping audiences entertained is good. But as long as its well-made and doesn't insult the intelligence of its audience, then it doesn't really matter if it has nothing to say. If it adds happiness to our lives, then it makes life all the more worth living, and art even more essential.