no. 11

Film: can I count it as a hobby?

Movies aren’t something new that I have gotten into because I have time on my hands; it is something I have always been a fan of. One of my favourite ways to pass the time is watching stuff. It doesn’t really matter what it is.

Growing up, there was, of course, a variety of kids’ movies and TV shows, all the Barbie movies from the early 2000s and 2010s, and Harry Potter, to be specific. Since getting older, I have carried over that same love with me, and dare I say I do still get a bit excited watching childhood films (although J.K. Rowling may have ruined Harry Potter for me as a whole). It is so fun. The nostalgia of it all. But I do love a little movie. It’s a cute way to spend time.

I don’t think anyone realises the extent of my love for watching films. I recently started using Letterboxd (shoutout Ore), and I can’t even choose my four favourites. It’s too hard. I like too many films to narrow it down to just four. An additional challenge is watching films in English and Hindi. I have to pick between Hollywood and Bollywood. How difficult. Avatar, Seven, The Devil Wears Prada, Andaz Apna Apna, Dil Dhadakne Do, Three Idiots: the list keeps going. Safe to say I will not be casting my four favourites just yet.

I love how films can be so symbolic and have an intense amount of meaning behind them, or it could be the complete opposite and be pointless. Both have their perks. The story doesn’t have to be the most eventful for it to be good. One of the films I quite like is Lady Bird. I couldn’t tell you what the plot was exactly, but the cinematography and the characters and pretty much everything were so relatable and weirdly relaxing.

Speaking of cinematography, that’s another thing I love. Cinematography and costume design add so much to a film, it’s not even funny. I remember watching Dune for the first time, and all I could think about was how effective the clothes were (I think for that film, the term clothes is an understatement). You can say so much about a particular character with the wardrobe choices, and it’s so evident when the production team have done research into every little detail for every little character. Another great example is Sinners. The amount of meaning behind that film is itself so impressive, but the way people have been analysing the various bits and bobs, and what the people are wearing and how they differentiate from one another, is crazy. Ugh, I love it.

Going to the cinema: another part to love. I surprisingly have not gone on a solo date to the cinema yet (I’m waiting for the right film to come along). Honestly, what a cute way to spend time. And even when you go with one of your friends, you can discuss it afterwards. A bonding session, if you will.

The number of conversations you could have about films is, again, another thing which is so interesting. Everyone in this world sees life in a completely different way. Everyone has their various niches. Their various thoughts. And just like art, or pretty much anything, films can spark such a vast amount of conversation. They don’t even necessarily have to do directly with the film itself. It could be something political. It could be something artistic. It could be anything. Like when Don’t Look Up came out and everyone was talking about the state of the Earth with climate change, or of course, the Barbie movie that started reactions and feelings about feminism. It can relate to anything and everything. And sometimes, nothing at all.

Film has helped start so many conversations. It’s an art form. How exciting to give people your film recommendations. You get to help decide what they do for the next couple of hours of their life.

Although choosing a film to watch can be a pain, it’s always worth it.

By Natasha Joshi