Hakimuddin Radhanpurwala Week 14: Cinematic Snapshots
I’ve always had a very profound understanding and appreciation for films. Whether it be action, romance, comedy, whatever I saw on screen became an embodiment of me for the time being. Movies have always been my way of preserving memories, like scenes of different moments in my own life. Sometimes these movies serve as a reminder, something that takes me back to places, people, and things I’d long forgotten. Every christmas movie reminds me of my last christmas, every pixar movie allows me to relive my childhood, and just like that, I’m lost in a nostalgic reverie, letting the scenes of my life live in my head for those moments.
So years later, revisiting those same movies is like unlocking a time capsule—I remember exactly where I was, who I was with, and what I was feeling. I think it’s worth saying that a lot of our life experiences are fulfilled through a screen—things we dream of doing, people we dare to love, places we hope to go. It gives us the opportunity to remember a time we didn’t exist, to relish in what could have been, and it’s fascinating to see how even though a movie is so out of touch from reality, it sometimes feels as if it were another life given to us. I might never wander the streets of 1920’s Paris or find the ultimate love story on a sinking boat, but in the span of two hours, I have, and somewhere along the way I’ll remember that moment and associate it with a feeling of comfort and longing.
Each film I watch becomes a piece of my story, preserving memories in ways I never expected. A random scene can send me back to a long-forgotten day, making me feel a feeling linked to my past. So yes, memories. Movies are memories. They’re little stories. Stories that become a part of mine; woven into the fabric of my life, waiting to be worn again whenever I need to remember.
Hi Hakim! I really loved your blog about the memories associated with movies. I think that everyone can relate to this; I know I can! I remember my first time as a child watching some of my favorite movies like "RV," "The Goonies," and "Jurassic Park." This doesn't just apply to movies, of course. TV shows like "Liv and Maddie," and "Jessie" are all crucial memories. Whenever I'm feeling down, I watch these movies and shows, and it brings back a sense of nostalgia that makes me want to return to my childhood. That said, thank you for writing this blog and helping me reflect! I can't wait to read what you write next!
ReplyDeleteHey Hakim, your blog was so fun to read, and it was especially so relatable. Your wonderful description of how cinema relates to your daily life is something I agreed with. So of my most memorable moments in my life are watching iconic scenes in movies for the first time. I remember the first time I watched Cars. The movie literary defined my childhood and every time I saw a car. Then there was the first time I watched Iron Man. The Mark II suit up scene actually lives rent free in my head. The day I watched that movie, I remember going home and trying to open up every computer and appliance up in my house, so I could make an Iron Man suit of my own. I think these movies are defining moments in all our development, and I cannot wait to see how the next generation reacts to these movies.
ReplyDeleteHey Hakim! You did a great job weaving through the intricacies and explaining the little memories that come with watching movies, keeping your writing very stylized while still appearing relatable. I agree with a lot of the points you made--rewatching movies might seem mundane or a waste of time to most people, but understanding what makes each movie special and being able to associate memories and feelings to particular scenes shows a lot of character. For me personally, rewatching movies from my childhood actually changes my perspective on the movie, given that my experiences and perception on life have also changed. For example, when I read your reference to Pixar movies, I immediately thought about Cars, and how as a kid, I genuinely thought vehicles had eyes and personalities that they just hid away from humans. I remember randomly opening the garage door, trying to "catch" my mom's car lacking, which in retrospect is really silly. But nowadays whenever I see clips of Cars online, I just think about how carefree I was back then. So for me, movies serve not only as little memories or feelings, but benchmarks in my life.
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