I often think movies (and also games) are things that exist on the intersection of art, entertainment and product. They are not a product like cars or refrigerators, but still you can make money and optimize for market and that gives money for bigger budgets. But art while often bad for profit is important to push the boundaries of the medium and explore ideas. Entertainment is best if it meets an equilibrium somewhere between.
I just got reminded of this, and I think it fits this thread, because that is there one of the greatest movies is created. But first, let's look at an art movie, that is highly interesting, innovative (it's from the 60s) and experimental, but also hard to watch and because of difficult viewing experience maybe not one of the greatest movies. Actually, maybe movie is even wrong, as maker Chris Marker calls it photo-roman (photo-novel) — I talk about La Jetee:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WstrUci5Fbg
By the way, Chris Marker was strongly drawn to Hitchcock and a movie named here in the thread: Vertigo. La Jetee carries elements of this movie. Anyways, while I would say it is a hard watch and more an artistic exercise, this was the direct inspiration for one of the greatest movies, changing more into the equilibrium, being entertainment: 12 Monkeys by Terry Gilliams. I think this is a beautiful reminder how art and entertainment never exist in a vacuum, they build on each other, inspire and enrich our culture.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4tT8lpQz3N8
Last edited by Mnementh - on 08 July 2025
