Blog 11--Her: A Love Story by Spike Jonze

When my group was working on our experiment this week, we discussed the movie Her a lot and how the uncanny is very much present within it.  Now some may disagree, but regardless, whether it was intentional or not is of course left to the individual viewer. Personally I think the uncanny was intentionally placed in it, yes it was a “love story” because Spike Jonze literally calls it “Her” a love story by Spike Jonze, by the other major theme of it is-is what Theodore and Samantha (the ios system) had actually love?   I decided for my self that it wasn’t love, because she can’t have feelings, even though it felt like at times she did—I maintained that distance and didn’t by into it (Not that I didn’t enjoy the movie, I loved it and it was flawless).    I think I didn’t by into it because the un-comfort-ability of the thought of something like that actually happening was not something I could actually believe.  It was too out thee and off-putting.  It was uncanny, and kind of scary that in a couple of decades that could be a reality.  People dating computer systems as those computer systems are simultaneously dating hundreds of thousands of other humans.  I think a feeling of uncanny could be a valuable sensibility for artists to develop because I think the uncanny forces us to see things or feel things that shake us out of our sometimes mundane day to day lives and that sense off-ness can lead to a lot of inspiration of how to interpret old things in new ways and could lead to greater creativity and discovery.  Any jolt for the usual can teach us something depending upon how keenly aware we are with the change. 

Blog 10 Empathy

According to Ghandi, “If we could change ourselves, the tendencies in the world would also change. As a man changes his own nature, so does the attitude of the world change towards him. … We need not wait to see what others do.” In short Ghandi is saying that we, as individuals, need to live the way we would like others to live in order to make a shift, over time.  I personally would need to abandon cynicism, narcissism, and apathy in my daily life in hopes that through example, my attitude would adjust the attitudes of those around me and so forth. Now, I don’t think that this means that theatre can’t be the answer in adding combating issues of oppressors vs. the oppressed, but I think that there is too big of a separation from theatre to humans on an individual level.  By it’s nature, even though invisible theatre isn’t “theatre”, but “real life” to the unbeknownst audience, theatre is still strangers trying to connect to or enact a change or thought in other strangers.  I think theatre can be powerful in creating a sense of connection from human to human, but a connection as strong as one needed to really bring out that sort of drastic change on an individual level is something theatre can’t do, but only probe at.  I’m not sure what the final answer is or if there even is an answer to make that sort of change.  But I do think theatre can aid in creating empathy and in taking steps to making this shift. 

            As to if those who can take theater seriously are only those already interested in making a change, I don’t think that’s true.  I think that theatre can be taken seriously by anyone.  I don’t think it will necessarily change a radical’s mind, but I think that depending on tact, subject matter, and timing it can cause a shift in any person, as to if it is a desired shift may be debatable.  People do have to be willing and open to change for one to happen, and no matter what is done, enforcing views down someone’s throat is ineffective. In' my ideal world theatre would be able to pull that much wight in making the world a better place, but alas.  

Blog 9 Activism

This is a bit of a nation and even world wide issue of social importance more so than a community importance but regardless I am very much against the death penalty, which is very controversial among many, but it’ something I feel very strongly about.  I don’t think it is ever ok for the government to decide when someone’s life should simply be ended due to his or her misdeeds.  As an act of protest I would probably make a film about the inmates’ lives leading up to their death.  I would create a connection with them through interviews with them personally and their families and friends and the event that condemned them.  I would highlight the humanity in the inmate and reveal the chance for forgiveness and hope in them even if it’s just a sliver and I would show to anyone willing to watch.  I think that the media could definitely be advantageous.  The more media the more circulation my film would get.  I only have so many resources so as much coverage it could get would be ideal to allow more eyes to see it and hopefully more hearts turned to compassion rather than condemnation. 

I think my protest will be over after the completed project is seen for the first time by someone who had no part in helping me make it, regardless if it was an effective video that purges my desired to turn someone towards compassion or not.