We explore because we are curious, not because we wish to develop grand views of reality or better widgets.
Brian CoxRead
Feudal societies don't create great cinema; we have great theatre. The egalitarian societies create great cinema. The Americans, the French. Because equality is sort of what the cinema deals with. It deals with stories which don't fall into 'Everybody in their place and who's who,' and all that. But the theatre's full of that.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote suggests that great cinema arises from societies that value equality, unlike feudal societies that are hierarchical and restrictive.
Brian Cox articulates the idea that cinema, as a form of art, thrives in egalitarian societies where stories of diverse characters and equality can be told. In contrast, feudal societies, bound by rigid hierarchies and roles, produce only theatre, which often reflects and reinforces those constraints, limiting the range of storytelling and expression available.
Themes
CinemaTheatreEqualityArtSociety
In practice
Example use cases
In a film class, when discussing the influence of societal structures on film, this quote can highlight the importance of equality in storytelling.
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