The one moment that defines cinema to me is stumbling upon an outdoor screening of Michelangelo Antonioni’s L’Eclisse (1962) in Bologna, Italy. The event was named “Sotto le stelle del Cinema”, which translates to “under the movie stars.” This serendipitous discovery allowed me to understand the true impact of cinema. The event took place in an open piazza, where every seat was occupied. Surrounding cafés and bars set up exterior tables where couples would drink a cocktail together or older men would sit alone to have their post-dinner espressos while enjoying the show. Ultimately, cinema is community. It brings strangers together and provides us all with an escape from reality. Even with the decline of theatre-goers, film still finds a way to connect people. The rise of Letterboxd has now encouraged film enthusiasts to become casual critics, many writing comical reviews for friends and other strangers to see. With the rise of technology and streaming services, watching movies in solitude has now become the new norm. However, there is something comforting about being emotionally impacted by a film and knowing you are not alone in your sentiments. Cinema is for the people, it makes us feel like we are a part of something bigger.
