I haven't personally seen James Cameron's brand new film "Avatar." However, I have been hearing about how the audiences/viewers of this billion dollar movie have been feeling a little blue about their experience with it.
A story on CNN.com by Jo Piazza gave some rather chilling information on the fact that this motion picture may have been a little too real for some fans that said they have been experiencing depression and suicidal thoughts after seeing the film because they 'long to enjoy the beauty of the alien world Pandora.'
For those of you, like myself, who don't exactly know the story of the movie, I thought I would give a brief little summary of it. As Piazza's story explains, "A greedy corporation is trying to mine the rare mineral unobtainium from the planet Pandora, which is inhabited by a peace-loving race of 10-foot tall, blue-skinned natives called the Na'vi. In their race to mine for Pandora's resources, the humans clash with the Na'vi, leading to casualties on both sides. The world of Pandora is reminiscent of a prehistoric fantasyland, filled with dinosaur-like creatures mixed with the kinds of fauna you may find in the deep reaches of the ocean. Compared with life on Earth, Pandora is a beautiful, glowing utopia."
There have been several disturbing blog posts from various viewers, saying things such as the fact that it's hard to accept that Avatar is only a movie, and that thoughts of suicide seem helpful for the fact that if one commits, they may be reborn into a world such as Pandora. The stories go on and on. However, there is a bright side to so many people feeling this way, depending on how you look at it. Having the opportunity to express their feelings and share their thoughts to other people through blogs and such has helped quite a few people come out from the darkness.
Creating relationships, which seems to possibly be one of the keys to human happiness, might be what saves some of these people so it is good that they can share their thoughts with other people even if it's an online companionship. Other suggestions to getting over these depressing feelings and suicidal thoughts is to perhaps play "Avatar" sort of games, or maybe purchasing the soundtrack for the movie.
Trying to think like those people might, I came up with this. What if these bodies that we inhabit are no more than an avatar? Flesh that feels and moves. Perhaps we as spiritual beings are sleeping as we control the actions of our avatar. At some point in time, maybe we will wake up to our spiritual world - heaven, or to some people, beautiful Pandora? Time will only tell depending on what you believe.
Or perhaps, maybe there needs to be a rebound movie. Something to cover up these thoughts.
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While I do agree that talking about emotions through blogs likely does help people relax--it can be stressful to hold things in--I also wonder with this whole Avatar situation if some people's mentioning of suicide is really just a call out for attention. Avatar is a movie--a piece of fiction. Regardless of the problems that this world does possess, suicide is not an answer...period. Anyone those actually feels suicidal after watching this film, likely felt suicidal before watching. Movies, especially those that are likely to have a great emotional effect on the viewers, should present disclaimers below and after the film.
ReplyDeletePersonally, I have not watched ‘Avatar’ but I would like to. I have heard a lot of talk about people wanting to commit suicide also, but they have to realize that it is just a movie. One reason I long to see this movie is to see how people can get so wrapped up in the story. I have seen a few movies that made it feel as if it were real and I was in it, but then the movie ends and you realize it was JUST a movie. Maybe if they do a follow up movie it would help. Overall, I think people just need to try and get a grip on reality and try to live their lives like before. Like you said, maybe we are our own Avatars? Maybe there is life out there that is longing to be like us. Since no one is absolutely sure, why not try to live like our lives are loathed by others.
ReplyDeleteI also never have seen this movie, but I would like to go and see it. I think that if that so many people are having issues with this movie, such as comitting suicide, and or getting the blues, that the directors or movie theater owners may need to have disclaimers or something to that effect before the movie. Life is hard, but some people need to realize that it was just a movie and not get to worked up about it. You made an excellent point at the end, by wondering if we were all just Avatars being played by some higher power. We may never know.
ReplyDeleteI agree, maybe before the movie they could have something stating how it's just a movie and none of this will be true in real life etc. I have never seen this movie but would really love to go see it. All of my friends that have seen it say that it was a very very good movie. I just don't know how some people can be affected by movies like this. Don't they know it really is JUST a movie. I guess others might have a greater imagination or different ways they see things.
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