The Weight of Being: Exploring Existentialism on Film
Okay, let’s talk about existentialism. It sounds intimidating – all those French philosophers and dense theories! But at its heart, it's really just about grappling with what it means to be alive. What’s our purpose? How do we find meaning in a world that often feels…absurd? And how do we deal with the freedom (and responsibility!) that comes with making choices when there are no pre-ordained answers?
It's a theme that has resonated deeply throughout art and philosophy, and unsurprisingly, cinema too. It’s not always about characters having full-blown philosophical debates; often it’s woven into the fabric of a story through their actions, their struggles, and their quiet moments of reflection.
Take Poughkeepsie Crispies, for example. Sounds bizarre, right? And it is! But that obsessive devotion to a peculiar snack – that ritualistic adherence to a routine – speaks volumes about our human need to find structure and meaning, even if it’s in something utterly ridiculous. It's a darkly humorous commentary on how we create our own little worlds to shield ourselves from the vastness of existence. I remember seeing this film years ago at an indie festival; it just stuck with me because of its unsettling simplicity.
Then you have films like Open Doom Crescendo, which throws us into a brutal, chaotic scenario – a battle royale for some mythical artifact. The desperation to find release from torment, the willingness to fight tooth and nail… that’s existentialism in action! It's about confronting the void and trying to claw your way out of it, even if the odds are stacked against you.
What I love is how filmmakers have found different ways to approach this theme. The Metaphor That Became a Room takes a more introspective route, exploring the disconnect between our perceived selves and who we present to the world. It’s that feeling of being trapped in a performance, constantly trying to explain yourself, only to realize it's futile – a truly poignant exploration of identity.
And then there’s Cryptex, which I find particularly delightful. It tackles these big questions with wit and absurdity, reminding us not to take ourselves too seriously while still prompting genuine reflection. It’s like saying, "Hey, life is weird and meaningless sometimes… let's laugh about it!"
Desistfilm offers a different angle – the sudden intrusion of passion into a group of listless teenagers. It highlights how encountering something truly real, even if messy and uncomfortable, can shatter our complacency and force us to confront our own lack of purpose. And finally, Out of Nature beautifully illustrates the search for meaning through solitude and connection with the natural world – a classic response to feeling lost in modern life.
Ultimately, existentialism on film isn't about finding answers; it’s about asking the right questions. It’s about acknowledging the absurdity, embracing the freedom, and forging your own path, even when you don't know where it leads. So next time you're looking for a movie that will challenge you, provoke thought, and maybe even make you question everything… dive into these films. You might just find something profound within their stories.
