Being human Quote by Nathaniel Dorsky
“In film, there are two ways of including human beings. One is depicting human beings. Another is to create a film form which, in itself, has all the qualities of being human: tenderness, observation, fear, relaxation, the sense of stepping into the world and pulling back, expansion, contraction, changing, softening, tenderness of heart. The first is a form of theater and the latter is a form of poetry.”
About This Quote
Source Film Essay: "The Poetics of Film" by Nathaniel Dorsky, 1995
A film can either portray people like a play or embody human qualities itself, becoming poetic rather than merely theatrical.
In simple terms: Film can be poetic, showing human feelings directly.
Key Takeaway
Make films that feel alive, not just show life.
Themes
film
poetry
humanity
observation
emotion
Mood
reflective
introspective
Type
analytical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- documentary filmmaking
- experimental cinema
- artistic workshops
- teaching film studies
Key Concepts
cinema
aesthetic theory
embodiment
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you infuse human tenderness into visual storytelling?
- What distinguishes poetic cinema from narrative cinema?
A Different Perspective
Poetic film may be less accessible to mainstream audiences.
