In the vast majority of movies, everything is done for the…
“In the vast majority of movies, everything is done for the audience. We are cued to laugh or cry, be frightened or relieved; Hitchcock called the movies a machine for causing emotions in the audience. Bresson (and Ozu) take a different approach. They regard, and ask us to regard along with them, and to arrive at conclusions about their characters that are our own. This is the cinema of empathy.”
About This Quote
Source Film: The Cinema of Empathy, essay by Roger Ebert, 1990s
Some filmmakers aim to manipulate audience emotions directly, while others invite viewers to empathize and draw personal conclusions about characters.
In simple terms: Two cinema styles: emotional manipulation vs. empathetic engagement.
Key Takeaway
Choose films that foster personal reflection.
Themes
film
empathy
storytelling
Mood
thoughtful
engaged
Type
analytical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- watching movies
- film criticism
- teaching film studies
- null
Key Concepts
cinema theory
viewer agency
Questions to Reflect On
- What films have made you feel deeply connected?
- How does empathy change your viewing experience?
A Different Perspective
Empathetic cinema can be less immediately entertaining.