Thought provoking films

Finally got around to watching District 9, and I have to say I was incredibly impressed. Rarely does a film make me so anxiety-ridden, I'm very rarely impressed by much that's come out since I was in high-school. There's an abundance of clichés prevalent in the film but as a whole, I think it raised several important philosophical questions: Why is humanity so strongly, to the point where we treated one another like outsiders and could there ever be a time when the human race will be unified?

 I wouldn't call myself an optimist, more so and egalitarian. I've been sensitive to moral and ethical infringements of human rights from a very young age. I accept that there is a tendency within humanity to be callous, selfish and cruel but I still feel that within most of us, there are clear guidelines on how others should be treated. It's encoded within our genetics, I attribute it to survival. Nurture is a key part in human evolution, without it we inevitably destroy ourselves and one another. What I find worrisome is how Western society has deviated from the interests of the collective to the interests of the individual, which are not sustainable and lead to apathy within the over-all population.

District 9 I liken to films like The Matrix, being one of my chief philosophical experiences within film. As an artist, we have the power to raise social issues and emotionally engage with the population in ways politics and government cannot. This is why I firmly believe films like this should remain classics, not only are they brilliant examples of true cinematic excellence, but also important points of departure for critical thinking within  media and our society as a whole.

On an unrelated note, after graduating this year I intend to travel the globe and learn about different cultures. It's embarrassing how little I do know, if it were possible to fill one's brain with limitless information I would happily do so. This distraction, though important, of writing papers and assignments will soon be finished with and then I can pursue my ambitions elsewhere.

First post!

Hi all!

Starting to upload my artwork, got about 20 photographs to edit and put up...trying to figure out the interface. Also, this is my first account, I'm hoping to include some observations about my process and whatever else comes to mind.

On that note, as it's Remembrance day, I've been thinking a lot about war, is it possible to be rid of it, or is it merely human nature? Something to think about.