Wolfgang Petersen's amazing 1984 film was not just telling us that pessimism is rising and creating despair. It told us that there are forces in the world that want people in despair.
Will have to watch this one. Loved this excerpt: Only individuals can think and reason and act. Only individuals have the power to create art and life and beauty, and it’s through this that we create meaning in our lives (and a more beautiful world for others).
This is what the Empress means when she tells Atreyu that only Bastian has the power to stop the Nothing.
The power to defeat its despair exists in each of us, and a good place to start is to recognize that life is a gift and worthy of being treated as a work of art.
🫡, Artax. Fantastic article - for real. As a gal very near your own age, and with 2 kids of my own, I've seen the movie quite a few times, and have read the book. Certainly didn't understand it at the age of 9, but as we grow older and learn to "adult," we surely begin to see it.
I really enjoy reading the articles you write about movies, connecting dots that are usually oftentimes missed. Thanks so much!
Have you ever ready Leonard Peikoff’s the DIM Hypothesis, how the lights of the world are going out? This reminded me of his essential points. His central premise is against Nilihsm, and his previous book, Ominous Parallels, does the same type of analysis on Nazi Germany (and, frighteningly enough, on the US).
What a brilliant take ... I often think about that movie ...
It's a great flick. (And thanks!)
Will have to watch this one. Loved this excerpt: Only individuals can think and reason and act. Only individuals have the power to create art and life and beauty, and it’s through this that we create meaning in our lives (and a more beautiful world for others).
This is what the Empress means when she tells Atreyu that only Bastian has the power to stop the Nothing.
The power to defeat its despair exists in each of us, and a good place to start is to recognize that life is a gift and worthy of being treated as a work of art.
Thanks so much for this article. I was too old for this "children's movie" in 1984. I'm so glad to finally discover it.
You will enjoy it!
Brilliant. I loved this movie as a kid, and love this interpretation as an adult. It is never too late to dream another dream.
🫡, Artax. Fantastic article - for real. As a gal very near your own age, and with 2 kids of my own, I've seen the movie quite a few times, and have read the book. Certainly didn't understand it at the age of 9, but as we grow older and learn to "adult," we surely begin to see it.
I really enjoy reading the articles you write about movies, connecting dots that are usually oftentimes missed. Thanks so much!
Thank you, Celena. Your words made my day. I am so glad to hear you like the articles on movies; they are my favorite ones to write.
Have you ever ready Leonard Peikoff’s the DIM Hypothesis, how the lights of the world are going out? This reminded me of his essential points. His central premise is against Nilihsm, and his previous book, Ominous Parallels, does the same type of analysis on Nazi Germany (and, frighteningly enough, on the US).
ARTAX 😭