Jun 13 2012
∞
“ I don’t like the idea of “understanding” a film. I don’t believe that rational understanding is an essential element in the reception of any work of art. Either a film has something to say to you or it hasn’t. If you are moved by it, you don’t need it explained to you. If not, no explanation can make you moved by it.
—
Federico Fellini
Same goes for poetry!
(via whiskey—robot)
this this this!
(via electrichoney)
This quote reminds me of Susan Sontag’s “Against Interpretation,” and like that essay, I both agree and disagree. I don’t believe that appreciation, in its purest form, requires “understanding.” But when I read a great analysis of a film (or song or book, etc.), it does make me appreciate it in a new and different way. Maybe I wouldn’t call that “understanding,” because it’s arrogant to assume that you can distill any powerful artwork to a single explanation of “what it means,” but I think there’s still value in searching for and discussing meaning.
(via imathers)
