Sometimes I wonder if I am a cinema fanatic. The answer is not straightforward.
Do I like to watch movies? Yes, of course. Do I do it often? No. I watch approximately one film per month. Undoubtedly you will ask me, my Dear Friend:
If you like to watch movies, then why do you do it so rarely?
Because for me watching movies is one of the most passive forms of developing my artistic skills. Of course, it still creates us. But not as much as writing texts, making photographs, contemplating life, or reading books. Let’s stop for a second at this moment. If I do not watch as many films as other cinema fanatics, why should I still think of myself as a movie fanatic?
I still see myself as a movie-lover because the most exciting thing I love to do regarding films is to read about cinematography.
Today I possess seven Taschen books about the history of the movies (“Horror Cinema,” “Movies of the 50s,” “100 All-Time Favorite movies,” “Movies of the 70s,” “Movies of the 80s,” “Favorite Movies of the 90s,” and “The Stanley Kubrick Archives”). The fact is that for today, I managed to read only two of them, the two first titles, but all others I consequently and continually read in stages. I love to take inspiration from all the people who were involved in creating the history of cinematography.
Whether these are directors, actors, producers, editors, or musicians, we can learn and take inspiration from all of them. Of course, if some movies interest me, I add them to my “Films to watch” list. Nevertheless, the fact is that this list is only getting bigger.
To summarize, I hope that you know, my Dear Friend, why I cannot straightforwardly answer if I am a cinema fanatic. The answer could be:
1) No – because I rarely watch a movie;
2) Yes – because I love to read about the cinema.
