I haven't watched a horror film for years. Before I was an empath I loved scary films. It was fun to be startled or even shocked. When I was more armored, anything that made me feel "something" was entertaining.
I still enjoy suspense, thrillers, and action genres if they're well-written. So I apparently don't mind being over-stimulated to a degree. But I'm no longer looking to be frightened as much as I used to be.
Recently I've been realizing that another "genre" isn't really working for me: depressing stories! I used to study film and was always on the lookout for great cinema, including documentaries that revealed dark aspects of life. I'm now finding that because I'm so sensitive to energy, a depressing documentary can leave me with a very deep feeling of sadness. As an empath, I feel the emotions of others so strongly that it's hard to simply observe others who are suffering without experiencing the same feelings.
The challenge that I'm facing is that so many sad documentaries are well-reviewed, and considered "great" films, that it makes me want to watch them all. One such film, which prompted this blog, is titled One Day In September. It was about the terrorist attack that occurred during the 1972 Olympics in Munich. I had heard bits and pieces about the event, but didn't really know much about it...so I wanted to learn more through this documentary. It was very well done and interesting, but left me feeling very sad and hollow.
Another example of how a film recently affected me emotionally was how I felt after watching Exporting Raymond. I had heard a glowing review of this documentary, and it was, in many ways, comedic. It was about attempting to get the show Everybody Loves Raymond produced in Russia...and explored the cultural differences between mainstream humor in America and Russia. It was entertaining for the most part, but I noticed that it left me feeling mildly depressed, simply because the energy of the environment in Russia, as well as the energy of many of the Russian people, felt rather bleak to me.
In one of my all time favorite films, My Dinner with Andre, it is suggested (I'm paraphrasing) that when you show people through your art that life is meaningless, pointless and frightening it confirms what they already suspect. But by showing them stories that are more empowering and positive, you give others a vision for a more enjoyable life.
I would never advocate not making films that address darker subjects, but I would suggest that for those like myself who already understand that life can be full of pain, misery and confusion, mindful consumption of media can improve one's sense of well-being. For people who are not so highly sensitive, I understand how "upsetting" films can actually open their hearts, create more compassion, and actually help to develop greater empathy.
As for myself, I decided today to remove some darker films from my Netflix Queue, all of which are supposedly very well done, including: Rabbit Hole, a drama about a couple coping with their child's death; Trouble the Water, about New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina; and Touching the Void, a documentary about a guy who broke his leg while climbing a mountain. The last one may even have a happy ending...I don't know. But I realized that due to my empathy I don't really feel like watching something that takes place in a cold environment during the winter. It's been cold enough, lately.
My choice to filter what I view creates some inner-conflict within me, because I do enjoy being moved by portrayals of the human condition. However, I feel as though I'm already aware enough of the negative aspects of life, and it'll be more enjoyable to watch films that are a little more "light" or "inspiring" in some way. The next 3 films in my Netflix Queue are Midnight in Paris which I heard is Woody Allen's best work in years, Moneyball, about improving a baseball team, and Our Idiot Brother, a comedy. I have a feeling that this change, despite some feeling of loss, is for the best...at least for now.
Peace,
Chris
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I still enjoy suspense, thrillers, and action genres if they're well-written. So I apparently don't mind being over-stimulated to a degree. But I'm no longer looking to be frightened as much as I used to be.
Recently I've been realizing that another "genre" isn't really working for me: depressing stories! I used to study film and was always on the lookout for great cinema, including documentaries that revealed dark aspects of life. I'm now finding that because I'm so sensitive to energy, a depressing documentary can leave me with a very deep feeling of sadness. As an empath, I feel the emotions of others so strongly that it's hard to simply observe others who are suffering without experiencing the same feelings.
The challenge that I'm facing is that so many sad documentaries are well-reviewed, and considered "great" films, that it makes me want to watch them all. One such film, which prompted this blog, is titled One Day In September. It was about the terrorist attack that occurred during the 1972 Olympics in Munich. I had heard bits and pieces about the event, but didn't really know much about it...so I wanted to learn more through this documentary. It was very well done and interesting, but left me feeling very sad and hollow.
Another example of how a film recently affected me emotionally was how I felt after watching Exporting Raymond. I had heard a glowing review of this documentary, and it was, in many ways, comedic. It was about attempting to get the show Everybody Loves Raymond produced in Russia...and explored the cultural differences between mainstream humor in America and Russia. It was entertaining for the most part, but I noticed that it left me feeling mildly depressed, simply because the energy of the environment in Russia, as well as the energy of many of the Russian people, felt rather bleak to me.
In one of my all time favorite films, My Dinner with Andre, it is suggested (I'm paraphrasing) that when you show people through your art that life is meaningless, pointless and frightening it confirms what they already suspect. But by showing them stories that are more empowering and positive, you give others a vision for a more enjoyable life.
I would never advocate not making films that address darker subjects, but I would suggest that for those like myself who already understand that life can be full of pain, misery and confusion, mindful consumption of media can improve one's sense of well-being. For people who are not so highly sensitive, I understand how "upsetting" films can actually open their hearts, create more compassion, and actually help to develop greater empathy.
As for myself, I decided today to remove some darker films from my Netflix Queue, all of which are supposedly very well done, including: Rabbit Hole, a drama about a couple coping with their child's death; Trouble the Water, about New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina; and Touching the Void, a documentary about a guy who broke his leg while climbing a mountain. The last one may even have a happy ending...I don't know. But I realized that due to my empathy I don't really feel like watching something that takes place in a cold environment during the winter. It's been cold enough, lately.
My choice to filter what I view creates some inner-conflict within me, because I do enjoy being moved by portrayals of the human condition. However, I feel as though I'm already aware enough of the negative aspects of life, and it'll be more enjoyable to watch films that are a little more "light" or "inspiring" in some way. The next 3 films in my Netflix Queue are Midnight in Paris which I heard is Woody Allen's best work in years, Moneyball, about improving a baseball team, and Our Idiot Brother, a comedy. I have a feeling that this change, despite some feeling of loss, is for the best...at least for now.
Peace,
Chris
Get 5 Free Minutes ~ Live Psychic and Tarot Readings
Get 10 Minutes for $1.99 ~ Live Psychic and Tarot Readers
This blogger is supported by ethical reading sites which offer live online psychic readings, tarot readers and astrology.
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