Able Quote by Roger Ebert
“We all are born with a certain package. We are who we are: where we were born, who we were born as, how we were raised. We're kind of stuck inside that person, and the purpose of civilization and growth is to be able to reach out and empathize a little bit with other people. And for me, the movies are like a machine that generates empathy. It lets you understand a little bit more about different hopes, aspirations, dreams and fears. It helps us to identify with the people who are sharing this journey with us.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Empathy Machine, 2005
Films generate empathy by exposing viewers to diverse hopes and fears, expanding understanding beyond personal experience.
In simple terms: Films build empathy.
Key Takeaway
Watch diverse stories.
Themes
empathy
cinema
human connection
Mood
thoughtful
inspirational
Type
philosophical
educational
When to use this quote
- movie nights
- education
- cultural exchange
Key Concepts
narrative transport
psychology of identification
Questions to Reflect On
- What film changed your perspective?
- How can you practice empathy daily?
A Different Perspective
Empathy also requires personal effort.
![“Gene [Siskel] often mentioned something François Truffaut once told him: the most beautiful sight in a movie theater is to walk down to the front, turn around, and look at the light from the screen reflected on the upturned faces of the members of the audience.” quote by Roger Ebert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/2d8/roger-ebert-655_audience_gene-siskel-often-mentioned-something-fr_61356.jpg)
