Some people have the prejudice that writing about cinema is easy. How do I know this? Of course, based on a few articles I read months ago and my observations!
As someone who mostly writes about cinema, I can easily say from my point of view that this prejudice is not true, but I am also aware that it would be delusional to expect that saying it will be enough and that it will convince anyone.
So let's dwell on the subject a little more and let me share with you the effects of writing about cinema from my own point of view.
First of all, I should mention that I love watching movies and I am interested in all the stories reflected on the silver screen. I watch movies every chance I get and sometimes I watch the same movie over and over again, refreshing my memory of scenes I have forgotten about that movie.
Like everyone else, I have my favorite movie, actor or scenes that I cannot forget. I even have a favorite soundtrack. Sometimes I watch the whole movie from beginning to end just to see “that scene”.
I have never written about a movie that I haven't seen. Every movie I have written about, I have definitely seen on the day I published the article or a few days before.
During the process of watching the movie, I don't have any pre-thoughts about what I should write about the movie, which sentences I should use or which side of the good-bad evaluation is dominant. I just watch the movie and try to enjoy it as much as I can. In doing so, I integrate the movie, the actors, the music, the scene or the whole story in my head with the moments that turn into a visual feast.
I try to highlight every moment that I think appeals to me, I elaborate as much as I can on the aspects I find lacking along with the reasons, I personalize the writing as much as possible, and I go through what it makes me feel.
I am not saying that this is too difficult or too easy. On the contrary, I think that a lot of work has been put in and that work should be taken into account when criticizing anything. Of course, everything can be subjected to criticism. People can express their thoughts freely.
My point of objection is that not everything is as easy as it is made out to be. There is no difference in terms of labor between writing in any field and writing about cinema. The time spent on the other subject is also spent on writing about cinema and as much effort is put in as possible.
Awareness of quality is present in cinema writing as it is in every subject. Articles based on liking or disliking a movie, or articles that tell the story of the movie, can be considered as repeating a vicious cycle over and over again.
Telling almost the entire story of a movie that people are already inclined to watch would only spoil their viewing pleasure. And I don't think it would be necessary to watch the movie for that. It would be enough to read the plot and watch the trailers.
In order to touch on the building blocks of visuals, editing, script, music, direction, acting, etc., you must have seen the movie and the article must be personalized by you when you put forward your own ideas.
In addition, the social, cultural or historical place of cinema should be questioned. The fact that the story has universal value and is supported by some cinematographic tools supports the intuition that it will appeal to all segments.
These and similar analyses require uncovering details that the viewer may not notice at first glance and are only possible with a deep knowledge.
Writing about cinema is also an attempt to balance the scales. When criticizing a film, one must be constructive. You cannot deny its strengths and truths while highlighting the parts that are subject to criticism.
To be able to say that a movie was “great” or “mediocre”, you have to fill in the word you choose. The fact that taste is relative and will vary according to the person will determine the language you use.
This requires sensitivity and the ability to express rather than knowledge.
And what I find most difficult in my movie writing is the fear of letting my personal tastes get in the way of objectivity. It is a common mistake to objectively review a movie that is disliked or to praise a movie that is highly praised too much, and I admit that I succumb to this mistake from time to time...
...but I also know that learning from each mistake strengthens the next step. To be ethical and consistent in what you say is to develop a behavioral trait in a subject that is constantly written about.
It doesn't take long for someone who follows your writings closely to realize your contradictions.
In conclusion, writing about cinema is not just about sharing personal thoughts. The way you convey your thoughts is the transformation of a labor process into writing.
What you reflect is to offer new perspectives to the audience and make them follow the movie more carefully than they already do.
I strongly disagree with the prejudice that it is easy to write about cinema, and in my writings, regardless of that, I will continue to say, as explicitly or implicitly as possible, that the power of cinema should be taken more seriously and appreciated than it is today.
Thank you for being here and for reading. Take care and goodbye!
Thank you very much for such a wonderful post.