Do you think movies have the ability to heal, as Atad describes?
Instructions
If you missed class this week, you lost Participation points. To make up the points, complete this writing assignment. To earn credit, you must submit it by the end of Friday of the same week you missed (see due date above). Late work will not earn points.
The writing assignment must be in MLA format (double-spaced, Times New Roman font). The assignment must be minimum 250 words of your original writing and answer all the questions in the prompt. If you quote from another source, you must credit that source; plagiarism checking software is enabled. The file must be in .doc, .docx, or .rtf (Mac users, no .pages files!).
PROMPT:
We’ve all experienced a piece of art which has affected us deeply, whether it’s a movie, book, or more traditional work (like painting and sculpture). An example for me is the Holocaust memorial from Pere LaChaise Cemetery in Paris, France. When I first saw it, I sat and considered it for a long time. I couldn’t keep it out of my head for days.
This emotional experience was something the Greeks called ‘catharsis’. Nowadays, we most commonly see it in movies. Read this Esquire article by Corey Atad for a full explanation why, and then check out this Screencraft list of top cathartic movie scenes for examples. When you’re done, answer the following:
Do you think movies have the ability to heal, as Atad describes? In what ways might they help an individual or, as Atad argues, a nation?
Do you agree with Atad that films reflect “our national emotional state?” You don’t have to be a movie buff to answer this question. Consider movie references have you seen in the news, including public response or even the amount of journalism focused on the movie industry! Do you think we can look to movies to gauge our national attitudes, or that the public has given too much credit to this form of entertainment?
Finally, has there been a piece of art which inspired catharsis for you? Tell me about it!
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