Hello, Clarice.
Whether taking the shape of a psychological thriller, romcom, or something else entirely, film combines visual storytelling, acting, music, sound design, editing, practical design, and more to create a uniquely moving experience. It is constantly evolving and is easy to get into. Cinema is like no other type of art. It is the best type of art.
Art, at its core, is expression. Whether through paint on canvas, ink on a page, or notes in a symphony, art exists to move us, to challenge us, to make us feel something. For centuries, painting, sculpture, literature, and music have been revered as the highest forms of artistic expression. But if art is about impact, about the full range of human experience, then there is no greater art form than film.
A feature-length film can transport us to another world, place us in another person’s shoes, and make us feel the full spectrum of human emotion in just two hours. The audiovisual nature of cinema allows it to immerse viewers in ways that books and paintings cannot.
Think of the heart-wrenching climax of Titanic, the breathtaking triumph in Rocky, or the pure thrill of adventure captured by The Goonies. These films do more than tell stories—they make us feel those stories. Film can make us laugh, cry, recoil in fear, and stand in awe. It engages not just our minds, but our senses and emotions in a way that no static art form can.
Music, the only possible challenger for the title (as it is also dynamic instead of static), is a part of film. What sets film apart is its ability to seamlessly blend multiple art forms into a single experience.
Consider the sheer number of creative elements that go into making a movie:
- Cinematography: Every shot is a carefully composed photograph, using framing, lighting, and color to evoke emotions and enhance storytelling.
- Animation: Thousands of drawings and paintings can be lined up to create or add to a production.
- Acting: Performance is its own art, with actors bringing characters to life through movement, voice, and expression.
- Music: A film’s soundtrack—whether an original orchestral score or curated licensed tracks—dictates tone, heightens tension, and reinforces themes.
- Foley: The way a film uses sound, from dialogue clarity to background noise, can completely change how we perceive a scene.
- Editing: The pacing, structure, and rhythm of a film are controlled in the edit, determining how a story unfolds and how the audience feels moment to moment.
- Production Design: Set design, costumes, and props create immersive worlds, whether grounded in reality or entirely imagined.
- Writing: At the heart of every great film is a compelling script, crafted with the same narrative depth as literature or theater.
No other art form encompasses so many individual disciplines. A painting can be visually stunning, a symphony can be emotionally stirring, and a novel can be deeply thought-provoking—but film does all of these things at once. It is a multidimensional experience that no single art form can match.
Some may argue that film is too young to be considered the greatest art form. Painting and music date back thousands of years, and literature has shaped civilizations for centuries. But to say that longevity determines artistic merit uses the fallacy of tradition. Newer art forms are not inherently lesser. If anything, film benefits from its relative youth; it is a culmination of human artistic progress, borrowing from and elevating every form that came before it.
Unlike some classical art forms that require extensive education to fully appreciate, film is the most accessible form of art. Almost anyone can watch a movie and be moved by it, regardless of background or artistic training. Subtitles allow foreign films to transcend language barriers, and digital streaming has made cinema more globally available than ever before.
While painting and music often require years of technical mastery, technology has made it possible for almost anyone with a smartphone to create and share films. This has opened the door for new voices, perspectives, and innovations in storytelling that other art forms struggle to match.
Film is an ever-evolving experience. It exists in a collaborative space where new techniques, technologies, and cultural influences continually shape its form. Visual effects, computer-generated imagery (CGI), and advancements in camera technology have expanded the boundaries of storytelling, allowing for cinematic experiences that were once unimaginable. Theaters can even implement 3D glasses, moving seats, and smells to add to the immersion.
Additionally, film has the unique power to reflect and shape society. From the silent films of the early 20th century to the complex narratives of modern cinema, movies have documented history, challenged social norms, and influenced real-world change. They serve as both entertainment and historical record, preserving moments in time with clarity and emotional depth only before seen in literature.
While all art has value, no single type of art captures the full range of human creativity and emotion like film. It is a synthesis of visual, auditory, and narrative storytelling, drawing from every major artistic discipline to create something wholly spectacular. Film is not just an art form—it is the art form, the ultimate expression of human imagination. No other medium can transport, inspire, and connect us quite like the movies can.
In case I don’t see ya, good afternoon, good evening, and good night.
Hasta la vista, baby!
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Editors’ note: All opinions expressed on The Uproar are a reflection solely of the beliefs of the bylined author and not the journalism program at NASH. We continue to welcome school-appropriate comments and guest articles.
