The Philosophy of The Fountain - Escaping Our Mental Prisons
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- Опубликовано: 27 ноя 2018
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Revisiting The Fountain; this video essay pushes beyond the various interpretations of the plot to explore the deeper themes at the heart of Darren Aronofsky’s ambitious film.
Sources:
Ernest Becker - The Denial of Death: amzn.to/2P7P68Z
Eckhart Tolle - The Power of Now: amzn.to/2SirVL8
Christopher Runyon - The Fountain review: moviemezzanine.com/the-darren-...
Like Stories of Old - Complete Reading List: kit.com/likestoriesofold/read...
Business inquiries: likestoriesofold@gmail.com
Music licensed from Artlist
The Fountain was by far the most requested film on my channel and I'm glad I finally got to cover it. What other films would you like me to discuss next? Let me know below!
Josstice League
stalker
How about Rescue Dawn?
Song to song (2017) by Terrence Malick
Mulholland Drive could be interesting for future videos. maybe?
"They planted a seed over his grave. The seed became a tree, he became a part of that tree. he grew into the wood, into the bloom. And when a sparrow ate the tree's fruit, he flew with the birds. Death was his road to awe."
This is the most powerful quote I've ever encountered. I want a tree over my grave when I die.
The rose that grew from concrete?
Yes, me too.
@@omalone1169 that’s Tupac street poems 😂
Me too.
"You are scared of dying - and, tell me, is the kind of life you lead really any different than being dead?" - Seneca
Can u explain plz??
@@theemperor2017 Essentially it forces you to answer the question if the life you're living is really worth the quest to live forever. I.E. Is it a quest for the sake of it, or does it have a true purpose.
@@theemperor2017 it's not what they do that disgusts you
It's that they deny what they do
"You want to live-but do you know how to live?"
Life is more terrifying than death for in death there is no pain, no emptiness, no aloneness, no uncertainty, no fear.
I am currently going through a potential end of life crisis and really needed to hear the words expressed here. The Fountain will forever be the most important film in my library. It gives me focus, beauty and warmth like no other film. Death is the Road to Awe, and in the meantime I’m trying to live in the moments I have left. Take care everyone.
Couldn’t help but take a look at your profile. Glad that you’re still kicking, lady 💪
I'm terrified of death
Death is a door and a friend. Its Like a warm embrace from a mother in which you find true love. Don‘t be afraid. Death can be Gentle. In the end the suffering stops and you glide over to whatever you believe in. Don‘t be afraid. Death welcomes you as a Long lost friend welcomes you at his doorstep.
Someone finally got this film. I saw this just a week after my little boy passed on. I wasn't prepared for it and I remember leaving the theatre after the showing how to a degree angry I was at it for not giving me the peace I so wanted then. Flash to a year later and I saw it again, this time on home cinema and I finally got the message. The one you mentioned about the focus on living life instead of obsessing on something we can't fight: Death. This film has influenced how I feel about life and living each increment of each day with as much life as I can stuff into it. We're never really granted tomorrow as I found out in 2015 when I sat by my mother's bedside as she took her final breaths. She was fighting and I told her to stop fighting and just go, be at peace. While it hurt like a bugger to let her go, she had to so I just told her "go". Then two years later my partner almost died and once again, I was faced with that possibility of losing someone I loved and I thought about all the positives of what we'd gone through in our almost 40 years together and I was rewarded with her continuance. That is the lesson this film taught me. I guess I'm now not afraid of death and embrace life far more than I ever did before. What I was once afraid of I now live in almost defiance of it. But I know at some point I will find out that death is the road to awe. Thank you for this beautiful analysis of one of my favourite films of all time. I see Aronofsky walking in the same path as Kubrick's "2001", Ridley Scott's "Blade Runner", and Denis Villeneuve's "Blade Runner 2049".
or in short the adage "life goes on".
Hi Dianne, that is a most eloquent and beautiful response: from your heart and soul.
Thank you for sharing.
Blair.
Thank you for sharing
@SuperNavatar Thank you for your comment. ❤
@@oddballsok Yep. It has to.
I loved that by drinking from the tree of life, by attaining "immortality", we see how violent and overwhelming life actually is. If we try to live forever, the fact that life will continue Through us and not with us anyways was amazing to see played out. We're already immortal, our bodies and experiences are like a bomb of creative nutrition to the lives that come next, like the Aztec god that created the world by sacrificing himself. More life always requires death. Cancer i think is a great example of immortality gone out of balance - normal cells attempting to replicate endlessly and not sacrifice themselves appropriately...
A brilliant film
"Cancer is a great example of immortality gone out of balance - normal cells attempting to replicate endlessly and not sacrifice themselves appropriately..." Well said. Perhaps the cells are unwilling or unable to let go into that larger 'something' in which they currently live, unaware that to do so would ensure they live yet again. Haven't we all at some point held on to ideals or tenets of thought or relationships with people (or things) well past their usefulness their helpfulness? When to let go would allow us to expand into that 'something more' that exists beyond our current concepts and perhaps result in our experiencing the world differently.
@@Zmiracle2B your comment blew my mind
woah your cancer cell analogy blew my mind
Also the idea of finding immortality in death-as in the liberation of death through the absolute acceptance of life.
@@Zmiracle2B more painful than anything.
Hugh Jackman’s acting is heartbreaking at times.
Why is your heart breaking over some acting? You slow?
Because the character he portrays makes you feel his anguish, the fear of loosing someone dear to you
@@buberbuster3365 And the socialist organizations are waiting to recruit. The student’s “rent-a-crowd militance for the latest good cause is an aspect of his real impotence.”141 The student serves the cause and the cause serves to justify the student’s subservience. The student activist consciously aligns their thinking with what they perceive to be that of an oppressed group (which they may or may not be a member of). Now they can speak for that group and articulate the desires of that group, usually phrased as demands made of the authorities. Every person, every group, must be represented. Representation is at the heart of the logic of modern politics, and its so-called enemies uphold this logic better than anyone. Such thinking is institutionalized among the academic Left, who are proud of their broad curriculum which includes all sorts of women’s studies, queer studies, African-American studies, etc. As long as students learn to demand “justice” for everyone, the possibility of revolutionary change can be ignored. Through appeals for justice or equal rights within the system, the academic Left perpetuates the system and its moralistic logic. And since academia is virtually defined by the dissociation of thought and action, no revolutionary theory could possibly thrive in this context; conversely, it is here that revolutionary ideology is at home, an object of passive consideration. The university gives the appearance of fostering learning on one’s own initiative. Indeed, many of the controlling aspects of high school are absentbut only because they are no longer necessary. The university student is selfoppressed, a beautiful example of modern schooling’s hegemony. Her only hope is to stop identifying with the university and its myths
@@omalone1169 i read that and I still don't get what you just said
@@omalone1169 hilarious...
"Death is the road to awe" That line is the key to the whole movie. It's about embracing death as not just inevitable, but as a step in a journey to something greater.
A personal event horizon.
" The cave you fear to enter, holds the treasure you seek". J. Campbell
That which you most need will be found where you least want to look.- C.G. Jung
The most criminally underrated masterpiece in movie history IMO. Glad to see other people “get it”. Each time I watch it, I tap into uncommon emotions and there is always a flood of tears and grief in the sort of life-affirming way that few things can give.
All for want of a nail
The Fountain made me cry so much
@@gregtankersley9976 The modern student thrives in a milieu of privileged consumption. All social life is subordinated to the imperative to accumulate commodities that affirm the student’s chosen identity within the social group-so much so that it is possible for the student to ignore much of the substance of schooling. Entertainment is organized around (sub)cultural identity-a dead world of media swill with an appearance vaguely reminiscent of actual life (which has been vanquished by modern capitalism). Sexual activity, long repressed, is now tolerated within the context of relationships which could only be described as masturbatory. If it had any meaning, if it opened up new realms of communication, sex would be a force antagonistic to schooling-instead it is a safety valve. In Civilization and Its Discontents, Freud said that civilization uses sexual energy for its own purposes (displacing it through work, for example). We are now so alienated from each other that it is difficult to conceive of a world in which our energies and desires are not systematically controlled and manipulated-a world in which meaningful communication is commonplace. Our capacity for self-regulation and autonomy has been schooled out of us; we are left with a character armor (the colonization of Capital) which protects us from expressing ourselves freely.
Wow! I was just going to comment the exact same text, are you from an alternate timeline?! Ha. Bloody good comment though, would you care to discuss further?..maybe over tea and scones!? I'll need to watch this movie again first, I've only just discovered it. Nice to be me....in this moment.!
I agree. But the narration for this video is GODAWFUL...... someone needs to point that out.
This whisper style.... Idk. I agreed with almost all of the points, he made here (btw, The Fountain is my #1 favorite movie of ALL TIME!!), but the way, HOW he said it.... Idk.... It just annoyed the ever living shit out of me.....
Death brings us closer to life, yet when we get to that point, we run. Understandable. Afraid to live, afraid to die. We are running in circles.
I can relate, in a way. 20 years ago I had a massive seizure, doctors forced to put me into a coma. When I woke, 3 months later, I felt a very strong sense of awe. It was not long before life caught up to me, and, being human, I settled back in. As we do. It took a while, but life became not so much an emergency, as it is when life is slipping. Comfort feels good, but suffering also feels good. Perspective, it is such an amazing gift.
Remember, tho, just because others suffer much greater than you, does not mean your suffering is any less painful. If you are able to suffer, through whatever is going on, and come out a better person, more compassionate, you have won.
Haiden Geary This hit me hard man, great words
Beautifully said 👏💜
Very well thought of...but do we fear? Or does ego fear?I've been trying to be as honest with myself and I feel that in reality i enjoy life as a tasty 🍪, the regular part is life and the chocolate chip is death.i have to love all of it together otherwise I'm eating more plain-ness or eating straight chocolate.... perhaps the answer to life is your question,mine is,but what about the milk?...there's more than I initially thought,so what is the milk?
@@mauricejeffrey3137 We fear, because its instinct. Without it, we'd have not survived over 200,000 years.
I’m in awe man, I hear your truth...
Just watched this again for like the 30th time last night... I am, and willingly will forever be obsessed with this unbridled masterpiece of cinema.
You're not alone
I watch it like... each 6 months. It amazes me each time.
Same here Chad. Magic. Pure undilluted magic.
yess love this movie from the start, and seen it probly just as much times.
I gree!
"From my rotting body, flowers shall grow and I am in them and that is eternity." Edvard Munch
I have never seen a movie like this in my entire life and I doubt I ever will. The first time I watched it, I immediately re-watched it the 2nd time because I knew I had just seen something that was out of this world. No matter how many times I watch it, it still has that deep impact on me.. Soundtracks for this movie is a different dimension.
I stopped the video to go watch the movie. I will come back, I promise.
Did you watch it?
@@Abhi-ms8pkjust did, it was a very sad, wonderful and confusing film. Maybe I'll obtain a better understanding once I watch this video.
I just watched the movie and then watched this video and wow. I understood a lot of stuff in the movie but this video made it a lot better!
@@Testosterooster I did exactly the same when nerdwriter made a video on movie called 'Battle Royale'. And, I kept my promise just like as you did.
I did that too. And I'm happy that I did.
Oh my god!!! The comment section's full of philosophers and I love that, I love how this movie atrracted a certain group of people with absolute like-mindedness.
Absolute respect and love for Daren Aronofsky❤
This movie made a marking point in my relationship with cinema. After watching this masterpiece, I was not able anymore to watch a random movie on TV. I started analyzing in depth every Pierce of literature of cinema that falls between my hands. I suddenly felt my artistic taste brutally upgraded and I didn't talk yet about the state of mesmer I fall in every time I watch it.
"We cannot change the wind, all we can do is do adjust the sails"
In terms of deciphering what is real and what is not in The Fountain, it seems obvious that the past and future segments are not literal, not strictly metaphorical. They are the stories that present Tommy and Izzy have written as they both, in turn, deal with their fear, and eventual acceptance, of death.
Izzy, the historian and astronomer, tells a story of widespread fear of death from centuries past, of conquistadors and ancient tribes obsessed with the stars.
Tommy, the scientist and widower, later tells a story of grief, determination and acceptance set in a futuristic ship hurtling through space, and the storybook concludes with his ability to say goodbye to Izzy.
The stories flow into each other because two are personal, artistic expressions of each lover's experiences in the real world. We are watching their lives together, and also the book that they created through their love for each other.
I spammed this video all over, even before I watched it.
Dude, you seriously have a gift. I cannot thank you enough.
Make 🍩 ion :)
I found this movie almost 10 years ago & it influenced me, my art & the way I experienced the death of my father in ways I can not even describe. Thank you for covering it, it is a very underrated gem.
This is a underrated channel.
Thank you 💞✌
I know gem but true tak
I'm glad it inspired you in similar ways it did for me, what kind of art do you do?
The Fountain is, by far, my favourite movie. Its depths speak to the same depths in me in a way I couldn't explain with words. Everyone will face tragedy, heartbreak and death, be it actual death, or the death of something else in their life - their health, a relationship, a business, the hope to have a child... At some point these experiences with 'death' teach us to let go and live in the endless present - a place of wonder and awe. Thank you LSOO for covering this.
"The Fountain" is my favorite Aronofsky film, and I feel, one of the most misunderstood and underappreciated films of the last 15 years. The story, style and spectacle were all so perfectly amalgamated. I especially loved the macro-photography paired with touches of CGI and all the gold motifs (which in itself has so many layers of symbolism). As a lover of science, I think tying the birth of gold in the death of stars with our own cultural affinity for it is absolutely genius. Not to mention Mansell's heartbreaking score (looking at you "Last Man"). I also couldn't imagine a different cast, even though Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett were set to star in it. Although looking back, those two would've probably brought it up to "Black Swan" fame.
Great video, as always. Thanks!
😜😜😛
Sorry, dying stars don't produce gold. Some of the heavier elements are only produced in collisions between neutron stars. You still may be able to tease an analogy out of that though. Neutron stars were once fully fledged stars.
I can totally see Blanchett and Pitt in this movie. I think it would have made it way better. I never knew they were considered for this film. At the very least Blanchett would have been better. But if you look at Pitt's acting at the end of Seven, I could see him pulling off a far more convincing performance than Jackman.
Just an aside, there was no CGI used in the fountain. It was all 100% practical effects.
this movie stays with you for life...
Darren Aronofsky's masterpiece. This film gets better with each viewing.
in the Heart Sutra, Subhuti the monk asked Buddha what the ultimate truth was, Buddha said it was more precious than all the treasures in all the universes, and that it was more important than Buddha the name and the body, but the lecture stops before Buddha said what the truth was, because the truth is not something to be sought after, but rather the truth of Heart Sutra is how Buddha lived, eating his food, washing his feet and sitting down.
I believed you mean the diamond sutra
Should we be ashamed if we cant reach it?
"When I fell, I was full, held" this part is so beautiful in its moment. I cannot express how much I yearn for a moment even such as this so sad. That is love though isn't it? It every emotion. All of it in it glory. Its beauty is incomparable to the universe itself. Such a love is so sacred. Love is everything. Nothing is beyond love, for it is all of us.
Aronofsky and Requiem made me want to make movies. Since seeing The Fountain on the big screen my interpretation has always been that all 3 timelines exist cyclically and parallel to one another.
I've since learned that Darren has said that very little in the film is metaphorical. And by his own admission this is a science fiction film. Which just further solidifies this idea for me. I love this film to no end.
Also, why doesn't anyone ever talk about it's soundtrack? Maybe Clint Mansel's best work ever.
I was one of the requesters for The Fountain on LSOO. Even being a big fan of both the movie and your channel, I could never predict such deep and emotional analysis for the film. I firmly believe this is one of the most underrated films of all times.
I can't thank you enough for this video.
This reminded me of William Blake's Poem "The Tyger" and the tale of human obsession
'Tyger Tyger, burning bright,
In the forests of the night;
What immortal hand or eye,
Could frame thy fearful symmetry?
In what distant deeps or skies.
Burnt the fire of thine eyes?
On what wings dare he aspire?
What the hand, dare seize the fire?
And what shoulder, & what art,
Could twist the sinews of thy heart?
And when thy heart began to beat,
What dread hand? & what dread feet?
What the hammer? what the chain,
In what furnace was thy brain?
What the anvil? what dread grasp,
Dare its deadly terrors clasp!
When the stars threw down their spears
And water'd heaven with their tears:
Did he smile his work to see?
Did he who made the Lamb make thee?
Tyger Tyger burning bright,
In the forests of the night:
What immortal hand or eye,
Dare frame thy fearful symmetry?'
Aristotle distinguishes between two kinds of making or poiesis: 1) that which human beings carry out through the use of tools (that of the anvil or the hammer) and 2) physis the making of Nature brought forth out of itself such as the revelation of the flowering of life & death. William Blake explicates that the former fails at the unconcealment of the concealed truth - the Veritas.
For instance such human obsession with piercing through the trappings of death through technology would not only fail at revealing the human psyche or condition, Blake might argue, but instead also have us lose sight of who and what we really are as human beings lulling us into what he called Newtonian sleep. For in such sleep, a kind of truth built in a world of abstractions is revealed which determines what we are and what we think the world is outside of ourselves. Our misunderstanding and thoughtlessness mistakes Newtonian sleep as the only modality and disregards the possibility of seeing with a more holistic vision causing blindness in all the actions that are determined from this prior manner of seeing such as that of Tommy. Our pride in the accomplishments and achievements of our technology and sciences is Oedipus' pride in resolving the riddle of the Sphinx: he does so and is able to do so because he is destined to do so. This pride blinds him to who he really is, to his essence, and the price for this blindness and obsession is his sight.
And thus William Blake advances in the last stanza,
'What immortal hand or eye,
Dare frame thy fearful symmetry?'
This notion that not only is it a difficult thing to enframe the workings of Physis encoded within the patterns of nature in Tommy's efforts to overcome the death drive itself but how dangerous such a obssessive endevour might be. A call to pierce through the realm of human abstraction and stare into the eyes of the tiger or that of death. “The Earth has lost its youthfulness; it is past, like a happy dream. "Now every day brings us closer to destruction, to desert,” as Vyasa has it in the Mahābhārata
To me sounds like hes prasing the creator, who dare frame ur symmetry? Sounds like who else could create ur form? But the creator
Not to take away from your perspective, but Blake’s poem is that of theodicy. He is asking why does suffering exist, or better yet, how can suffering exist with a all loving God. I would suggest you read his other poem: The lamb. Together the message becomes more congruent and clearer.
This is a beautiful interpretation of the poem which was very useful to me. I’ve also heard the perhaps more canonical theodicy interpretation. With a writer like Blake, it seems like both interpretations might contain an aspect of the truth.
Arononofsky is watching this analysis, crying in gratitude
Eckhart Tolle's quote put the fattest smile on my face, LSOO is the best philosophy channel on you tube I hope it gets the recognition it deserves
Lol. Same!
This, this was the movie that sparked my love for cinema
"Death is the road to awe". My favorite film from Aronofsky, by far.
Jesus man, you are absolutely brilliant in narrating , and where and how you choose to play video clips in this video . I have never written a comment on anything on RUclips and I felt compelled to write on to you. I hope you get to read this, I played Quarterback from the time I was 5 years old all the way through college, I was always a “sports” person , and art I always thought was just entertainment and never really understood it, but this was art , this invoked in depth thought for me , and emotions . I hope you are a real person and not a bit , but you never know this days. Keep up the good work! Idk how long it took you to make this video…but it was time well spent . Thank you for living life and applying your energy to things like this
It is very satisfying to know that there are other people that enjoy this movie as much as I do. Pure art. Thank you for this review my friend.
Goddammit. Every scene in this film is so powerful. What fortune to have seen this art expressed in such a fashion. And that score. Gracious.
One of the most criminally underrated movies ever! In my top 5 of best movies ever made.
First time I watched it I was too overwhelmed.....I knew I had watched something special but I didn't get it all....it was too much. Upon second viewing it resonated way more. And ultimately it became one of my favorite movies and I don't ever tire of seeing it.
Same here bro
Watched this gem as a teen, maybe 16. Was too much for me, i didn't have the capacity to fully grasp it, but the symbolism was there and I realized I had watched something special.
Now, at 31, I gave it a second shot and I can easily say it's the best movie I've ever seen, by far.
One of my favorite films. That score… this and tree of life give me chills
This movie left me in awe! One of the best underrated movies of all time! Thank you for covering it.
I love his whisper-like voice. Thankfully, the volume and clarity is audible.
The realization that meaningful movies don't really make massive difference, many simply don't care enough to pay attention. Appreciate everything we have, every day we experience. The death constantly follows us wherever we go, yet we think it never gets to us, not anytime soon, we have so much time left, but honestly do we? Nobody knows. We always take time for granted, time that is given to us. What is that really matters? The realization that we are not as strong as we think we are? That nothing and nobody belongs to us? And the death will inevitably separate us in the end? Thinking of what is and what may or may not be is heavy.. Keep up the great work LSOO . Love your channel 💕
One of my favourite films of all time. The Clint Mansell sound track makes me cry on its own.
A true tone poem of a film. I've never cried so hard as I did when the crescendo hit...
Who Wants to Live Forever
Queen
There's no time for us
There's no place for us
What is this thing that builds our dreams
Yet slips away from us?
Who wants to live forever?
Who wants to live forever?
There's no chance for us
It's all decided for us
This world has only one
Sweet moment set aside for us
Who wants to live forever?
Who wants to live forever?
Who?
Who dares to love forever
Oh, when love must die?
But touch my tears with your lips
Touch my world with your fingertips
And we can have forever
And we can love forever
Forever is our today
Who wants to live forever?
Who wants to live forever?
Forever is our today
Who waits forever anyway?
Upvoted just because Queen ... I still have my 1989 official fan club jacket. Freddie tribute concert a great memory. :)
bockmaker Truly beautiful poetry and song lyrics, just as this film is
Mass is said.
can't retain my tears, this movie changed my life, made me understand and think about so many things.. very very underrated, it's a poem. Sorry but for me it's above all movie ever created...
I noticed an homage in THE FOUNTAIN to a scene from Akira Kurosawa's IKIRU. The scene where he first gets some particularly jarring bad news and is walking along the street. There's no soundtrack, just silence-although you can see the things around the character would be making a lot of noise-until the experience of almost getting hit by a passing vehicle snaps him out of being lost in his head back into the moment, and all the sound from everything all around comes rushing back in. That film was also about coming to terms with mortality although it seems to approach the topic from a different angle. . .
I have watched the fountain many many times, maybe my favorite movie. Watching it beyond the first time elicit even stronger emotion and heartbreaking moments Knowing the plot. A rare feature imo that the movie gets better each time you watch it. You also notice more and more cinematography.
A t t i I think the same way first seen the movie in 2009 and it’s my favorite movie of all time
Exceptional. Really loved this one.
I like how you bring something extra to these movies. It really feels like extensions of the original content, an extra dimension if you will. It is great! A lot of your work is very original, and although you are building on already existing content you can truly call yourself an artist.
I wouldn't go that far
I am in love with this movie ever since I saw it in 2009, and I think this is the greatest accomplishment in mastering the human poetry if poetry is to be defined as total supremacy of form over substance. And this movie captures it all - the might of existence, all its sorrows, all the hopes we ever have and all the losses we suffer, the battle within and between ourselves, the quests we take for a noble cause, the adversities that await us, and the salvation that is always transposed into the future. This is the Fountain that sparks our consciousness and governs our lives in its archetypal lines and intertwines. We all are the past that is dead, the present that lives and the future that our mind leads us in a form of a journey within a closed sphere in a vacuum of loneliness with the tree of life inside ourselves.
Personally, I think this is about art being like an antidote to the fact that we die. Tom had to end the story in order for the memory of his wife and himself to live in 'The Fountain'. No ending, then no story to be handed down. Tom dying was himself ending, the story ending, and the meaning and what the story inspires would live on in a different form to be remembered and inspire awe in others. An unfinished story inspires no awe.
One of my favorite movies. I was moved to tears watching your analysis. This film connects me with my heart in the sense of grief and anguish, the pain of choosing what must be done over what could be done, and in the sense of joy, and release of letting go into transcendence.
One of my favorite movies of all time. It's insanely beautiful on every level. It's even more beautiful when you know there's 0 CGI in it.
Would love to see your take on Mr. Nobody!
Awesome video, as always!
Yes please.
Yes! It's one of my favorite! So many things to explore in that movie!
I am truly and honestly moved so deeply by all of these. I believe film to be a much better representation of human culture than simple paintings and sculptures. As you can only say so much in a single picture, a moving picture offers so much more complexity, as is it's nature. The ability for any film to capture the essence of what I means to be alive, to be human, to feel things, things that may contradict themselves, to struggle and suffer, to have the capacity to feel a sense of purpose and to be able to give everything around us a much greater meaning than it had from the start, is so spectacular I think it's far too underappreciated.
To anyone who is interested, the beautiful and haunting music at the end is called 'Shooting stars Ambient' by cinematic sounds :)
Just wanted to say thank you so much, you are a life saver :) I couldn't find it.
Thank you 💖.
Your work is hugely inspirational. Hopefully it will trigger many small or significant changes in many people`s lives. You are infusing our attitudes towards life and reality with something deeply humane. It is a true pleasure to witness this. Thank you.
No waaay !!
Finally ! Someone did one on this anazing 10year old gem .
And not just anyone !
One of the greatest RUclips essayists there are.
Thank you, sir !
You have such a special mind. Your videos have more worth and depth than 99% of the Hollywood films being produced. You are making a great contribution to our culture. Thank you.
After the King Warrior Magician Lover series, I see in Tommy the Passive Magician, who is trapped in a liminoid space because he cannot bear the grief of the profane world. The liminoid space is represented as the New World in the conquistador story, the hospital in the "present"(?), and pretty much everything in the space-sphere storyline. Izzy has a more balanced inner magician: she spends most of her time in the profane world, and dips into liminal space only sometimes to draw on insights from the sacred realm. The great sign of her maturity is the book - she doesn't merely benefit from sacred insight herself, she takes on a stewardship role to help Tommy.
Tommy is also the addicted lover most of the time...
dude. i dont know how to thank you for making this video. this video has made me realise and understand my state right now, my mental struggle, of having lost my fiance. she was my love and my life. we'd thought we'd be together forever and life forever, literally. but during the one year we lived together, we were pushed apart and torn by my Borderline personality disorder. many other things contributed to us splitting and she's embraced the change, moved to the US; i'm left broken and empty, still in love with her because as my illness pushed her away from me, she did nothing to push me away from her. i've gone through a tremendous transformation of personality and almost dont experience any symptoms of my illness. but my days are haunted by memories of her, unable to let her go (so perfectly portrayed in the movie as future tommy's parts).
okay while watching the video i felt like i unlocked the secret to moving on, but, now as i write this, i dont really know how to still let her go. i can accept the change but she'll still haunt me, i'll still love her. unlike death, i dont have the luxury of ending my experience. that's why i sometimes consider death as an option. so i can stop feeling.
Don't throw away life. Life is a gift. Life can also provide unexpected surprises.
@@benjaminsisko8669 truly. I have learned to live for myself and let her be happy :) thank you.
I remember watching The Fountain and walking out of the theater so confused. I didn’t have the tools to make sense of it. It was a well done movie but the message was lost on me until now. Thank you for helping solve that mystery. I feel I have a whole new appreciation for that movie now.
The fountain is brutally beautiful. Thank you for your kind interpretation, for some parts I myself was lost.
I have to tell you how much of an affirmation your videos have become on my outlook on life and my struggle to tell my own story. Please keep doing what you do. Amazing work as always.
Signed up to Mubi because you and I've enjoyed it so far. Also, i enjoy your videos - they're just so interesting & philosophical. Thank you, kind Sir.
I have a sneaking suspicion that life, as we understand it, is bigger on the inside. In other words, when it's over, you look back upon what you thought was so significant, so all-encompassing, so rare and realize it was just an incremental but necessary part of a much greater whole. Subjectively, death is tantamount to awakening from yet another dream.
This hits home to me, and many others whom have lost a significant other, a part of you, your true love, feeling alone, drowning in your memories, crying over pictures, and those small gifts, cards, drawing, painting, poems, knick knacks, etc all made by your love with all her heart and those painful times when she asked you to spend more time with her, to dance with her, to walk on the beach, but you were to busy and like a stupid a-hole said no, the regret and haunting feeling that overwhelms your life, trying desperately to find a way to travel back and set things right, but you can't, and that plunges your light into a dark cold abbys of death and deep depression which many don't find a way out no matter how much they try, looking at life without sense, food taste like ash, life seems dim while you are trapped inside your mind with all your thoughts and even if your working on other things and really concentrated on what your doing, you can not escape your mind, your soul, your feelings, your regrets, and many prefer to end it all, I've been there several times, without success, believe me I don't judge, I'm not who to judge anybody, there is a Higher Power involved in my case, I have been inches maybe even less, even closer to death several times, some by my hands, and many others out of my control, and yet I'm still here, and I can't escape those thought and painful memories, can seem to, no matter how much I try, but, I do wish you, ALL of you the best, live the moment, never say no to your love, never say I'm too busy, never say I'm tired, never let anything nor anyone prevent the much needed time to cherish and love that special someone, and love, always love, don't end up like me, Luv ya ALL, blessings . .
Thanks for this video. I was one of those who always asked for an essay. And, as expected, it's amazing. The fountain remains at the top of my list of best movies, even after 12 years.
I bought The Denial of Death after your Arrival video (the two films talk about things so alike in a completely different way), but I never started studying it. I'm sure I'll start now. Congratulations on the video and keep making these great essays.
Exceptional. Perfect. Nothing to add to this analysis that does justice to the story being told. Thank you, Tom.
This is by far, has and always will be my favorite film, but despite watching it for years it was only until recently that I finally understood what it was about. I think you've captured that understanding beautifully. Death is the Road to Awe.
It's rare that a video essay brings me to tears. This is one of those. Thank you for creating such meaningful and sensitive insights into the films which have shaped me, and sharing them here.
One of the best films ever, it combines art, science, intelligence, and core human emotion like no other film I know.
It's truly an honor to support you via Patreon. I don't think that you have made a single video that I haven't cried to.
I would love to see you review A Prayer Before Dawn. I believe that nobody could do it as much justice as you could.
This channel is good for the soul. You help people appreciate what people who make movies want us to see and often miss.
I watch films religiously and The Fountain is easily one of my top favorites. Funny enough, I found this channel by searching for an analysis of Interstellar, which I consider a spiritual and thematic “cousin” to The Fountain.
i don't know how you do it, but your videos always make me tear up by the end. also, that was a masterful transition to the ad.
This video is incredibly life pondering and thought provoking. Beautiful, this whole channel is.
You have some truly moving videos. They open a door or window, to a much deeper view of all that is. I’ve played the role of many Archetypes, within this current life experience. The force that has driven me forward, from my physical birth to now, has always been knowing, wisdom, understanding, greater awareness, expanding consciousness and a desire to give all I discover to others that desire it.
I’m grateful for the time and work you have put into sharing what is uniquely yours to share
Incredible the the film and your video is, Clint Mansell deserves all the praise in the world for the utterly phenomenal soundtrack. It never gets old nor ages. Took the film to a whole new level.
This beautiful piece brought me so much healing after the loss of my first husband and child. In fact, when I did become a mother and lost my mother.... this helped me stay in the moments and be present. It was easy to transition out of grief and back to living❤️
I have always loved this movie, and your video actually made me cry, thank you.
I first discovered your work with stoicism in Shawshank, and I've been waiting for you to tackle this film.
Thanks for this. Your work is great and has tremendous value for me.
This is incredible! The amount of knowledge and understanding you have when you create these videos is simply mind blowing. Your ability to break down and help others understand what may have been missed is a blessing. The amount of respect I have for good filmmakers has gone up a notch. Imagine how much knowledge, understanding and wisdom they have to create works of art like this. Then for us to be able to go and break it down and discuss themes, topics and elements that occur in the film is simply spectacular. Say 'yes' to learning.
Magnificent review. I cried.
Like The Stories of Old grew up with the philosophy of the fountain
I am so appreciative you covered this movie. Your videos have been inspiring and actually make me cry. It’s fantastic.
I actually got to see the film in the theater. After it ended, the entire room was silent and no one moved for at least a minute.
The most cherished gift is the unexpected one, and which goes straight to the heart.
Thank you. Christmas has arrived early for me.
For myself, I see the entire story as a metaphor, with the spirit of man constant throughout the ages in our search for immortality, particularly when faced with the loss of a loved one. Each age, in my perception, represents different methods mankind has followed in that search. The Aztecs or Mayans (not sure which) were the embodiment of what he was single-mindedly opposing: they worshiped death, embraced it wholly. The inquisitor represents the tyranny of death itself, its inescapable nature. Tommy's ascension through that cloud tunnel....a metaphysical 'birth canal', delivering him from his small and confined perceptions and doomed existence up to a greater existence and reality, where, as I stated in 2013: "The perfection he realized, only at the end, is that death is to be accepted. Peacefully. Joyfully. It is as much a part of life as our every breath. It is easy to see the trials of life as sorrow or burdens. In truth, life...all of life...what we call 'bad', ugly, sad...it is the imperfection itself that IS perfection. The beauty is in the totality, not the smallest part. In the last moment, he gave himself over to acceptance and transcended from where he was, rejoining the glory of All."
I've waited for your thoughts on this movie from the first discussion of yours I watched. I wish I could thank you in a better way. Yet I don't even know your name. But whoever you are, and whatever has gone through your life to awaken and sensitize your heart and soul to such a station as this, I am grateful, and I thank you.
the last samurai - "they are all perfect"
Wonderful, as always... I like how it started analyzing the concept of obsession in Aronofsky's movies. I like how it connected to Eckhart Tolle...
Just one important reference should be given to the Mayan culture, which with its prophecies have been guiding humanity into the power of now as much as Tolle or Aronofsky do. The myth of the First Father and the Tree of Life, have definitely influenced the story of The Fountain. Or Shibalba where Tommy is traveling to, is where Mayans believe dead souls go. Of course I understand such 10 minutes full-on video essay might not have the space for in depth investigation into the Mayan mysticism. Nevertheless, I could not not write this comment :)
The soundtrack to the fountain was absolutely brilliant. Never have I felt such emotion from music like I have with Clint mansell especially the song “together we will live forever”
My friend, your channel is incredible and thank you for the effort you put into each critical analysis that you present. You go beyond the surface layer of a film and reveal to us it's deeper meanings and by doing so, you show the art of film within the art of your presentations.
Thank you for the painstaking time to:
1. Write each script.
2. Record your narration.
3. Edit the videos.
I know how much work goes into it after creating my AVATAR critical film analysis, let me tell you, you deserved to be paid for this.
Anyways, great content! Keep at it!
Just by the dislikes on here which are very few of them I must say. I can tell that most people here have a good soul. Peace and love to everyone!
My izzy left me when i was 21.. She kissed me on my cheek and got married to another guy... I am happy for her.. She went for comfort and a better life.. I wish her all the best all the time..
That honestly sounds weak
Thank you, thank you, thank you! I haven’t even started watching this analysis video yet, but I just already know you will do this film justice. I’ve been following your channel for some time now and I truly appreciate your work. Now I will get to enjoy your thoughts and insights regarding my favorite film. Keep up the excellent work, friend!
This movie has been in the top of my favourites for many years, but only now I feel I truly understand it. Thank you for that. Although, it has always been perfect, even in guessing to its meaning
The film is a masterpiece.
And this youtuber is very talented.
Yes to life. Thank you!
Wow. That music+talk part towards the end was totally epic and moving. Great work once again!
Sir, I must inform you that to me, the way you unravel the deeper symbolic meaning in film is unsurpassable. I myself do not have the words to express my full gratitude, but my soul wants to sincerely Thank You.
I feel this message of 'just let go and accept everything' leads to a kind of nihilism. Contrast with Dylan Thomas' "Do not go gentle into that good night".
Earnest Becker has a great approach, which is fulfilling that spark of “do not go gently into that good night”, by accepting death. My take on it is that by being so committed to living each moment, one can laugh in the face of death, dance in the face of fear. To live the way Izzy did, completely vibrant and alive even as she was dying.
@@roserootedliketrees7571 i saw enough people die. None is joyful. That is bullshit. Dying people are mostly very scared, calling mom 80% of the times to protect them. Very few people have a moment of peace and beautiful full of dignity attitude facing near dead. In 9 years of my work seing death each day, i only remember one clearly. The rest, we only wish to live longer.