Re: Paris, Texas
Submitted by newgeorge on 2008-09-1 11:04:46, Monday
In reply to Re: Paris, Texas submitted by Rainboy on 2008-08-31 23:00:48, Sunday
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way back then I was one of those people who didnt like newfangled technology at all. I was an old fuddy-duddy (despite being only in my 20s). Things were changing (though no cellphones still) and I couldnt see the value in any of it. what came across in the film repeatedly (I dont know if it was intended by Wenders or whether it was just so natural to him that he didnt realise) was the way in which 'modern technology' is used by the main characters to help them in their relationships - as a natural aid to sustaining them and also even reviving them . . . [for instance, the old 8mm film shots] (dont forget this was way way before youtube). The main scenes in the film are nearly all conducted through either the telephone or through tape recorded messages . . . the people in this film relate more easily through the technology than they can do face to face. It could be that Wenders meant this as a criticism but that certainly wasnt the way I understood it. As someone who has a lot of trouble with relationships I came to realise through this film that any help, be it technological or not, in relating to others has to be a Good Thing. I didnt come out of the cinema having realised all this: this is one of those films that stays with you and you dont quite know why. It was only gradually that I realised but it altered my attitude towards 'IT' completely. And here I am typing into the internet. One of the strongest and most important relationships of my life (still a strong friendship after almost 10 years) has been through ICQ. I have never met them face to face. It is true that I have often cursed my computer for 'creating distances' but then I remember Paris, Texas and wonder where I would be without it . . . the distances between myself and the person next to me are much much greater. . . PS come to think of it: This is a film that members of the taliban should watch |
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