Okay, let’s talk about smoking on screen. Now, I know what you might be thinking – it's a habit that's increasingly frowned upon in real life, so why are we dwelling on it in film? But the truth is, the way filmmakers have depicted smoking over the decades reveals so much about our culture, anxieties, and even artistic expression. It’s fascinating!
For a long time, cigarettes were practically synonymous with cool. Think of Humphrey Bogart in Casablanca, perpetually shrouded in smoke – it wasn't just an addiction; it was part of his mystique. That image, that association with rebellion and sophistication, really stuck around for decades. You see echoes of it even in something like Going Steady (1957), where the characters’ casual smoking isn’t presented as a problem – it’s simply part of their teenage existence, adding to the breezy, carefree vibe of the 50s.
But that perception started to shift. As awareness about the health risks grew, so did filmmakers' willingness to explore the darker side of the habit. Fag End, for example, doesn't romanticize anything. It’s a raw and unflinching portrayal of addiction and its devastating consequences – the miscarriage is particularly heartbreaking and serves as a stark commentary on self-destruction. It’s a far cry from those earlier portrayals where a cigarette was just a prop to look effortlessly cool.
Interestingly, sometimes filmmakers use smoking not for character development per se, but as a visual shorthand. In The Left Ear, the moments when Li Er is smoking seem to highlight her isolation and struggle to communicate – it’s almost a physical manifestation of her internal turmoil. It's less about the act itself and more about what it represents: distance, introspection, perhaps even a quiet rebellion against societal expectations.
Then you have films that take a completely different approach, like Princess Nicotine; or, The Smoke Fairy. This short film is pure whimsy! It uses smoking as a springboard for fantastical imagery – fairies getting intoxicated on smoke and building bonfires? It’s playful and imaginative, demonstrating how even something we associate with seriousness can be used to create something lighthearted and magical.
And I've been thinking about Apathy, Limbo & Nothingness lately. The way the film uses a single cigarette as a focal point for a teenager grappling with existential questions… it’s powerful. It’s not just about smoking; it’s about that moment of quiet contemplation we all have, where we try to make sense of our lives.
Ultimately, the presence (or absence) of smoking in film isn't just about showing people lighting up. It’s a reflection of changing attitudes, artistic choices, and how filmmakers use visual cues to tell stories – sometimes subtle, sometimes blatant. It’s another layer of meaning waiting to be uncovered when you really start paying attention!
What films have you noticed that use smoking in interesting ways? I'd love to hear your thoughts!
