Movies Are Mirrors

Video essays that translate written (academic) texts to visuals and audio, all too often are mere (moving) illustrations for the pre-existing literary iteration. They are then too reverential, even subservient to the written original.

 

This short video essay by Studio Little tackles the ideas of French psychoanalyst Lacan on how movies function as a mirror for the viewer. Here, the visuals are both illustrative but also illuminating, they are thoughtful and creative. In addition, they also prove that film itself appears to be aware of its Lacanian function, as scenes featuring reflections and mirrored realities are very common. (Whether this awareness is conscious or subconscious, well, that is for Lacan to judge).