In the art film “The Way Things Go” we see the element of reaction in this world. On the surface, we see that this could be seen as a superficial physics experiment. However, in the end we should realize that the filmmakers wanted the viewer to be moved. Whether the viewer is moved to question certain ideas about his environment or just to ponder the reactions of his environment. The viewer may reach certain conclusions that the reason he is in a certain situation is because of another action. He may also be more aware of the consequences of his actions in the future because this movie moved him to think of the reactions and of the consequences of actions. Barthes’ claims, “we can through art, be intensely moved by something that does not exist, never has existed, and never could exist.” The dictionary’s definition of existence is to have actual being, to have life or animation. “The Way Things Go” is a film that without any effort brings this idea across. The filmmakers designed this physics project with little or no prior idea of what others would read into the movie. Each element definitely represented something in our reality, but at the time of filming, that specific thought never existed. The reality at the time was this is a bag; this is a table; this is a tire. The metaphors are what move us after viewing. The metaphors did not exist during the shoot. Therefore, Barthes’ philosophical comment rings true. We are moved through art, and can be moved by something that does not exist.
“Blue” is another film that exemplifies Barthes’ comment. The idea that a whole film consists of a blue screen with audio in of itself evokes thought. I noticed that my brain worked harder during the viewing of the film “Blue” because my mind was listening to the words, listening to the music, imagining the whole world, and connecting the philosophical aspect of the film.
How can Barthes’ comment be used in this movie since there is no visual aspect? That question answers itself. Since there is no visual connection, everything is imagined. The world that I create in my mind cannot be the world someone else creates. My mind uses previous experiences with music, tone, and voice to create a world that is uniquely my own. With that said, I am moved by what I imagine. What I imagine definitely does not exist, nor could never exist, and never has existed.
