Bringing people together through film

For many of us, being isolated these past two weeks in an effort to curb the spread of COVID-19 hasn’t been easy and some escapism is necessary. For some of us, that means revisiting our longtime favourite television show or a cult classic for comfort. For others, it's turning to our friends or favourite film critics for recommendations. It may even mean watching a movie like Contagion that puts a science fiction spin on our current situation.

Cinema builds community

And with so many streaming channels at our disposal, it’s become that much easier to access this content whenever we want it. But for many, it’s not the lack of choice that’s missing from our moviegoing experience – it’s the community. That’s because movies create a space for us to have a dialogue, both with the film’s big themes and with each other.

“It only took a week for people to get a little antsy and bored with their watch lists, and to turn to social media to seek out other people’s recommendations because a big part of the experience is having that water cooler conversation around a common culture,” says Paul Moore, a film scholar and professor in Ryerson’s Department of Sociology. “Television and movies are at the core of the common experience and culture that we share.”

This is why, Moore says, finding new ways to have a collective experience around stories will be important in the coming weeks, in lieu of leaving a movie theatre together and having the after-movie debrief. Time will tell how this will evolve, whether it’s more simultaneous viewing parties or live tweeting while streaming.

“One of the things I enjoy about watching at home is the stream of commentary on Twitter and being able to look things up while I’m watching,” says Moore. “It would be interesting to see if live tweeting or posting as you’re watching becomes a little more structured. Previously, live tweeting is something we’ve typically only done for big live events and of course there won’t be that kind of event in the short term, so maybe people will develop micro versions or friends-based ways to engage while watching. Not just hot takes or direct messages, but something socially equivalent to going out.”

Comfort in the familiar

Though many people are turning to social media for recommendations, there’s one clear trend emerging: movies that fictionalize the exceptional situation that we’re in like Contagion and Outbreak are regaining popularity. This comes as no surprise to Moore, who says movies, unlike the news, have room for conflict resolution. “When I teach narrative analysis to my sociology undergraduates, we talk critically about conflict and resolution. There’s only so many types of conflicts and ways to resolve that conflict,” says Moore. “Movies tap into classic myths and storylines. There’s a different experience and comfort in having a plot that we’re familiar with, but with villains and a happy ending.”

When asked where he goes to get his own recommendations, Moore says he’s sticking to his foolproof method: “I’m a pretty straightforward tomatometer and metacritic follower. For better or for worse, I trust the journalism of film critics.”

As much as Moore is heeding the advice of seasoned film critics, he says he’s carving out the time to catch up on his favourite reality TV shows. “I’m really relieved that there’s a season of Rupaul’s Drag Race that’s giving me at least something to look forward to every Friday night.”

At Ryerson, there are plenty of film lovers, and the lack of opportunity to gather as a community may be a blow for some. But Moore is heartened by the innovative ways of sharing stories that are emerging. “A big part of movies in particular is the movie theatre, and the experience of watching it together, so it will be interesting in the coming weeks, as film festivals and theatres are closed or postponed to see how people will use streaming and live video to connect in real time, to share these stories together.”