Blogging from A to Z Challenge
Theme: Movies reflect human needs...Empathy
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Movies give the opportunity to experience empathy when we imagine ourselves to be the characters portrayed. What would life be like if we were in the situations the characters face? If I lived in that time period, or lived in that country, or lived in that house/hut/shelter... if my skin was that color... if my family background was like theirs... if I had that opportunity, or challenge...
"Change begins with understanding and understanding begins by identifying oneself with another person: in a word, empathy. The arts enable us to put ourselves in the minds, eyes, ears and hearts of other human beings." (Richard Eyre, British director and producer)
And, "Movies are the most powerful empathy machine in all the arts," according to film critic Roger Ebert.
Why is empathy a human need? Well, considering the political, cultural, social, upheavals going on, I think of what Mehmet Oz said:
"The opposite of anger is not calmness, it's empathy."
"You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view... Until you climb inside of his skin and walk around in it."
Walking around in someone else's skin... some movie plots take that literally and have the character(s) experience life in another body...
- Freaky Friday (1976, 2003)
- Goodbye Charlie (1964)
- Vice Versa (1988)
Or experience an age they imagined would be great...
- Big (1988)
- 17 Again (2009)
- 13 Going on 30 (2004)
Or experience what life might be like for the opposite sex...
- Mulan (1998) (I love the animated version!)
- She's the Man (2006)
- Some Like it Hot (1959)
- Tootsie (1982)
But here are some movies that helped me gain better understanding and empathy...
- Connie and Carla (2004)
- Front of the Class (2008)
- Just Mercy (2019) ("My Take" review found here.)
- Leave No Trace (2018)
- Rabbit-Proof Fence (2002)
- 12 Angry Men (1957) ("My Take" review found here.)
What movies come to your mind regarding empathy? Is there a movie that helped you understand circumstances or someone better?
(Note: The movies listed might not be completely family-friendly. See my "Movie Content" information on the blog's sidebar.)
Great list again - To Kill a Mockingbird and 12 Angry Men are the pick for me.
ReplyDeletehttps://iainkellywriting.com/2021/04/06/the-state-trilogy-a-z-guide-e/
I'm glad you like the lists. Thanks for commenting!
DeleteBeside Tootsie, I don't think I know these movies, or maybe with a translated title.Another grat list to check, thanks!
ReplyDeleteA few of the movies I listed at the end are not very well known. Good films, though.
DeleteMost of the movies you listed are comedies which makes sense since being in someone's shoes sort of leans some humorous situations.
ReplyDeleteI can't think of a movie regarding empathy but perhaps all movies have empathy since watching movies makes us understands things and situations we may otherwise would not know about.
Have a lovely day.
Yep, nearly all movies give us the opportunity to increase empathy.
DeleteAvatar (2009)
ReplyDeleteUltimately a metaphor for the European settlement of America, designed to empathise with the indigenous peoples.
I hadn't thought about Avatar. Thanks for adding that!
DeleteWonderful list, Trudy. I've seen a lot of them, although I think I have not seen To Kill A Mockingbird, just read the book.
ReplyDeleteJanet’s Smiles
A few years ago, I read The Mockingbird Next Door: Life with Harper Lee by Marja Mills. It was interesting to learn background about Harper, her dad, the community. Helped me understand, somewhat, why she didn't write more novels. (Hey, that fits with Empathy, too!)
DeleteWe just watched Just Mercy recently. It was excellent.
ReplyDeleteThe book is excellent, too.
DeleteOh, I'll have to look for that!
DeleteA Better Life with Demián Bichir is one that comes to mind. It's a powerful movie that I think encourages empathy and understanding of the immigrant experience in America. Weekends In Maine
ReplyDeleteI haven't seen that film! I'm going to add it to my list of movies to watch.
DeleteTrudy,
ReplyDeleteI think on some level I can empathize with the character in just about any movie. The first film we saw in your set that we saw is "Big". Tom Hanks was a great playing a kid trapped in an adult body. Can you just imagine that? We also saw "Freaky Friday" which was a lot of fun. I wouldn't want to trade bodies with anyone but when we're young we often wish just that. "To Kill A Mockingbird" is a classic film and one we have yet to see. We really need to do something about this. My brain just isn't working on movie titles but I sure do enjoy looking over yours.
If you haven’t already, I invite you to check out my Looney Tunes Art Sketch of Elmer Fudd! Happy A2Zing, my friends!
I like what you said: "I can empathize with the character in just about any movie." Movies are wonderful for that, huh! (And books, too, of course.)
DeleteI agree with your quote by Roger Ebert. The film that came to my mind is "The Breakfast Club." Not only did the audience gain empathy for the teens on-screen, the teens gained empathy for one another in their long day of detention.
ReplyDeleteEmpathy all around for the characters and the audience. That's a good recommendation, thanks!
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