Some Motion Pictures Include Historiographical Efforts
Read what 'historiography' is.
I like watching movies.
My movie watching tastes have changed as I've grown older.
Some current preferences are movies based on factual events and true stories.
Every so often, what has been cast as 'historical' is granted further insight when personal memoirs are discovered.
When reading history, we often read only a single account branded as 'official'.
Usually these accounts are stamped with some kind of approval, whether from government, religious institution, or those with a motivation to defend their rendition of history.
Since man writes history, history is often found to be biased, contradictory, and missing self-incriminating mention.
Even the most uncivilized activities of men can be narrated in a civilized manner that convinces the reader that certain wickedness was 'justified' or necessary.
What I've found is that personal stories, although also leaning towards an inherent bias, at least grant further insights into the heart of man.
A new retelling, citing sources during or near the event, can widen the scope of then-current events.
Consider that even during so-called times of 'peace' (when people say "we are at peace"), battles are actually continuously being fought.
A war has been going on since the beginning of man's time on earth.
Within the believer the battle is constant; that is where this war I speak of is waged.
Within our hearts there is found the struggle between good and evil, light and darkness, right and wrong.
Thus there is constant war within.
When this war finds its materialization on the physical plane is when people then say "we are at war".
Men 'go to war' when the battle within themselves has been lost.
Such people are now captive to that which overcame them, namely evil, darkness, what is wrong.
Repeated patterns of mankind are evidenced, initially inside ourselves, then outside for others to see.
But to see clearly is not always possible, whether through insightful reflection or outward definition.
The individual must face their own prejudice before affecting change in the world.
They must first confront the way they make themselves first and put others last.
The individual needs to search out what biases they've been influenced into believing, what hatred is behind their political leanings and world view.
They must first define what identity they've been stamped with (through either religion, nationality, ethnicity, or the myriad of others), and which is the identity that is true, good, in the light, and right.
In which ways is their religion contradicting love, peace, and humility?
To explore historiography in cinema:
Specifically notice how the story was developed from first-hand experiences, and how that experience is portrayed in the characters.
Specifically notice how, although a fictional drama, the true portrayal of prejudices, of internal class struggle, and war's conquest causes conflict regarding honor and dignity.
Read about (and maybe one day watch) the movie Hyde Park on Hudson.
Specifically reflect on the manner this and movie touches upon historical themes of that time, but goes further into interpersonal struggles, human fallibility, and hypocrisy.
Read about (and maybe one day watch) the movie As I Open My Eyes.
Specifically look at the concept of freedom of speech and the manner tyranny over free thought is typical, since open forums of thought attack the attempted monopolization of 'truth' (an impossibility).
Many art forms (poetry, music, movies, canvas, etc.) express joys and sorrows.
Some sorrows are feared to be openly vented since they reveal the causes of those sorrows.
Sorrow brought about by the greedy and ambitious is why art is so vitally important.
Positive art, not art that simply promotes deviance, overt sexuality, and man's depravity.
Notice how all of these themes are very much constant Today.
Only when we deny ourselves (and the ideas that proliferate our hearts and minds) can we appreciate cultures and peoples looking different from us... yet struggling with the same struggles we have.
Only when looking clearly out ourselves in the mirror (what these movies beckon me to do) can we realize that others also desire the very things we desire.... even light, love, peace, and what is defined as honorable and good.
Surely even the production of these and all movies contain inherent bias from the producers, writers, directors... since they too are humans, and humans are fallible.
But notice how, with more than a single narration, more understanding is possible and opens the way for dialogue, for thought, for consideration of all things.
With such productions comes criticism of regimes, political sciences, and long-held beliefs.
Through criticism can we possibly conclude whether a long-held belief is actually true, or simply an echo of ignorance.
Such is necessary in order to define what is right from wrong, or accurate from the mythological.
Comments