In this age of consumerism film criticism all over the world - in America first but also in Europe - has become something that caters for the movie industry instead of being a counterbalance.
Interpretation
Film criticism has shifted from being an independent evaluation to one that serves the interests of the movie industry.
Wim Wenders highlights a critical observation about contemporary film criticism, suggesting that it has become too aligned with the movie industry, prioritizing commercial interests over objective analysis. This phenomenon reflects a broader trend within consumer culture, where critics may prioritize the industry’s goals rather than serving as a necessary counterbalance that encourages artistic integrity and innovation.
In practice
In a film studies class, this quote could be used to discuss the role of critics in shaping the perception of movies.
The most political decision you make is where you direct people's eyes. In other words, what you show people, day in and day out, is political...And the most politically indoctrinating thing you can do to a human being is to show him, every day, that there can be no change.
But I think that the spirit of protectionism would be the grave of European cinema. You cannot protect something by building a fence around it and thinking that this will help it survive.
Every photo, every 'ONCE' in time is also the beginning of a story starting 'once upon a time...' Every photo is the first frame of a movie.
Any film that supports the idea that things can be changed is a great film in my eyes.
The true artist is not proud: he unfortunately sees that art has no limits; he feels darkly how far he is from the goal, and though he may be admired by others, he is sad not to have reached that point to which his better genius only appears as a distant, guiding sun.
I have designed my style pantomimes as white ink drawings on black backgrounds, so that man's destiny appears as a thread lost in an endless labyrinth. I have tried to shed some gleams of light on the shadow of man startled by his anguish.
I couldn't possibly write 'Next to Normal,' but God, I can weep and watch 'Next to Normal' five times.
There's no way that music could ever go down the tubes. I can't imagine a civilization without music. When you realize today that music is such a part of people's lives. And will always be, really.
An incinerator is a writer's best friend.
Dancing is the poetry of the foot.
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