4 answers
Jayden
Student
Fontana, California
4
Questions
Updated
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How do I get into existentialism/absurdism in film?
Earlier I was asking how to sink myself into the world of film history. As time went on, I became interested in the world of absurdism/existentialism after reading Albert Camus' The Stranger and Franz Kafka. How do I learn more about these theories specifically in film?
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4 answers
Michelle M.
Actress
2317
Answers
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hi, Jayden !
The best way to begin learning about existentialist and absurdist genre film is to read about it as well as watch films of those genres. I left some links for you below and you should also do additional searches as you may find more. My two favorite absurdist films are "Rhinoceros" and "Oh Dad, Poor Dad, Mamma's Hung You in the Closet and I'm Feelin' So Sad". If you can find them online they are worth watching for the genre.
Always remember that you can find a wealth of resources online for film history and for all of the various genres you wish to study. I've left some links for you below just as a start, but you can find many more by doing a search online. Have fun with this genre and I wish you all the best !
ABSURDISM https://vocal.media/geeks/a-filmmaker-s-guide-to-absurdism
EXISTENTIALSM IN FILM https://glcoverage.com/2024/07/02/existential-film/
LIST OF EXISTENTIALIST MOVIES TO WATCH https://movieweb.com/most-existentialistic-movies-of-all-time/
LIST OF ABSURDIST FILMS TO WATCH https://www.yardbarker.com/entertainment/articles/the_20_best_absurdist_movies/s1__40711885#slide_9
The best way to begin learning about existentialist and absurdist genre film is to read about it as well as watch films of those genres. I left some links for you below and you should also do additional searches as you may find more. My two favorite absurdist films are "Rhinoceros" and "Oh Dad, Poor Dad, Mamma's Hung You in the Closet and I'm Feelin' So Sad". If you can find them online they are worth watching for the genre.
Always remember that you can find a wealth of resources online for film history and for all of the various genres you wish to study. I've left some links for you below just as a start, but you can find many more by doing a search online. Have fun with this genre and I wish you all the best !
Michelle recommends the following next steps:
Rafael Diaz Montelongo
Consultant
395
Answers
Raleigh, North Carolina
Updated
Rafael’s Answer
Hi Jayden,
Explore the realms of existentialism and absurdism in film by delving into some renowned movies and directors who creatively address life's profound questions. Begin with classics such as Ingmar Bergman's "The Seventh Seal" and David Lynch's surreal "Eraserhead" for a taste of existential tension and absurdity. Directors like Federico Fellini and Luis Buñuel excel at incorporating these themes into their work, often with a surreal touch. To deepen your understanding, consider joining a film club or an online forum for engaging discussions. This will provide an insightful overview of film history and illustrate how these philosophical themes are vividly portrayed on screen. Hope this helps!
Explore the realms of existentialism and absurdism in film by delving into some renowned movies and directors who creatively address life's profound questions. Begin with classics such as Ingmar Bergman's "The Seventh Seal" and David Lynch's surreal "Eraserhead" for a taste of existential tension and absurdity. Directors like Federico Fellini and Luis Buñuel excel at incorporating these themes into their work, often with a surreal touch. To deepen your understanding, consider joining a film club or an online forum for engaging discussions. This will provide an insightful overview of film history and illustrate how these philosophical themes are vividly portrayed on screen. Hope this helps!
Thanks for your encouragement!
Jayden
Jerry Tingstad
Professor/middle school teacher/48 years
104
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Jerry’s Answer
First: Michelle's answer is a great beginning.
And I must admit, while I am really into films, they are not of the type that you wish to explore. But it's a matter of taste. Right?
My only real thought is to read the books that tiplify your interest. More Kafka as an example. And then, take a Kafka work, and you work it into a movie? And then, of course, revise and revise and revise. And then do another.
My guess would be that, in your own mind, if it is creative enough, thoughts will appear to lead you on. Where? I have no idea as you have not reached that stage as yet.
And I must admit, while I am really into films, they are not of the type that you wish to explore. But it's a matter of taste. Right?
My only real thought is to read the books that tiplify your interest. More Kafka as an example. And then, take a Kafka work, and you work it into a movie? And then, of course, revise and revise and revise. And then do another.
My guess would be that, in your own mind, if it is creative enough, thoughts will appear to lead you on. Where? I have no idea as you have not reached that stage as yet.
Ivo Raza
filmmaker
2
Answers
Los Angeles, California
Updated
Ivo’s Answer
Hi Jayden, this is a great topic to explore because film lends itself so well to elements of absurdism. The built-in suspension of disbelief allows filmmakers a pretty high degree of freedom to push boundaries of what's real. And it's not confined to 'absurdist' films, such as Bunuel's The Exterminating Angel and Kubrick's Dr. Strangelove, or more recent films, such as Being John Malkovich, The Lobster, and Sorry To Bother You. Still, it can be incorporated into more mainstream releases such as Stranger Than Fiction and Everything Everywhere All At Once. Common elements of absurdism in film with traditional narrative films would be insurmountable obstacles, but absurdism in films adds layers of pointlessness and futility in repetition...there's Orson Wells's adaptation of Kafka's The Trial.
On the other hand, one could argue that almost all films have an element of existentialism at their core because many films are designed around goals while pursuing something external (stop the villain, find the treasure, get the love interest, etc.) which are all relatively big external goals whose internal meaning could be defined or interpreted as 'what it means to be alive,' thus defining the purpose, thus existential, even if it's a film about say a serial killer (Norman Bates feels alive by keeping his mother 'alive' by killing others is rather existential for him...) but it's not considered an existentialist film per se. For existentialism as an underlying philosophy, however, I'd explore Eraserhead, Jeanne Dielman, 23 Commerce Quay, Wild Strawberries, Cleo from 5to7, Solaris, Fallen Angels, 2001 Odyssey In Space and one of my favorite films 8 1/2. Or elements of it in more mainstream films such as Blade Runner, No Country For Old Men, and even Groundhog Day.
On the other hand, one could argue that almost all films have an element of existentialism at their core because many films are designed around goals while pursuing something external (stop the villain, find the treasure, get the love interest, etc.) which are all relatively big external goals whose internal meaning could be defined or interpreted as 'what it means to be alive,' thus defining the purpose, thus existential, even if it's a film about say a serial killer (Norman Bates feels alive by keeping his mother 'alive' by killing others is rather existential for him...) but it's not considered an existentialist film per se. For existentialism as an underlying philosophy, however, I'd explore Eraserhead, Jeanne Dielman, 23 Commerce Quay, Wild Strawberries, Cleo from 5to7, Solaris, Fallen Angels, 2001 Odyssey In Space and one of my favorite films 8 1/2. Or elements of it in more mainstream films such as Blade Runner, No Country For Old Men, and even Groundhog Day.
Thank you for the advice.
Jayden