Go indie

Every now and then I think about a guy I dated when I had first moved to Chicago 10 years ago. For as many faults as the guy had, I will credit him with having an influence on me when it comes to one particular subject: independent film. Before he arrived in my life, I primarily watched mainstream "blockbuster" movies. I'm not sure if it had more to do with the culture of the cities/towns I lived in growing up (ie, little to no opportunities to explore the art and film genres) or that it wasn't something that was important to me in my younger years. Whatever the case may be, the guy opened me up to the world of independent film. Given that I'm more of a 'off the beaten path' kinda girl, he seemed astounded that indie movies weren't on my radar of interests. Little did I know, I had been missing out by watching so many predictable, cookie cutter movies all those years prior. Sure, I like my share of entertaining mindless movies....but just as with my passion for reading books, "fluff" gets boring and I can only take it in small doses. I need intellectual stimulation....and I need to feel something! "Stimulation" in any sense of the word is key.

Now that I've been watching mainly indie movies the last 10 years, I can't imagine NOT watching them! So much more refreshing and unique in perspective, provoking deeper thoughts and feelings in equal measure. I find myself seeking out these movies that I just know will have me thinking about something in a different way, or challenge me to feel something I didn't know was there within me. Such has been particularly the case this past week with two different movies I watched. Funny enough, they were movies I wasn't sure I would like but wanted to take a chance and watch them anyway out of mere curiosity.

Props to "127 Hours" and "Catfish." I don't even know where to begin. Honestly, I can't say much without giving away the plot to both. Looking back, I wish I could have watched them with a friend or family member (I watched them by myself) because both offer a rich opportunity to discuss those fascinating grey areas of life. Rather than reveal what I saw, instead I'll reveal what the two movies had me questioning. I urge you to check out these movies if the following questions intrigue you or dare you to explore as I did.

"127 Hours:" What lengths/extremes would you (seriously and honestly) go to in order to survive and save yourself in an incredibly life threatening situation? Is the will to live the major predicting factor and most important "survival skill?" Does one's life literally 'flash before your eyes' when it looks like one's approaching death's door and how does that compel one to act/not act? Are we capable of so much more than we think we are when it comes to utilizing psychological strength of mind? Do only certain environments (ie, being in the wilderness) draw this out of us?

"Catfish:" How is it that we may more easily put ourselves out there for complete strangers in the cyberworld (and at a faster progression with self-disclosure and seeming "intimacy") than communicating and interacting with others in person? Have we made ourselves more vulnerable online because the risk to be vulnerable in person feels too daunting or threatening to our sense of self? Is the "real you" the one you demonstrate on social networking sites or how you interact with people on a daily basis face to face? Have our relationships with people and the way we relate to them become a blurry or indistinguishable mix of truth/reality and cyber/fantasy? How do we respond or cope when truth shatters the fantasy? Which parts of our psyches do we choose to let "shine?" Which parts do we unconsciously or deliberately keep hidden from others (and/or ourselves!) out of fear, shame, disappointment, or some kind of deep emotional pain? Once you know truth, you can't "unknow" it....so what do you do with truth once you have it? How much does the way you respond (ie, with anger and hate vs. forgiveness and compassion) to someone who has hurt or deceived you reveal about your character? Again, as the question I posed with "127 Hours": Do only certain situations reveal this aspect of oneself?

Go indie.

Think and feel something.

Discuss.