If the purpose of the stumpy little NFT theatre under Waterloo Bridge is not to acquaint young audiences with Ozu, with Ophuels, with D. W. Griffith and with Agnes Varda, then what exactly does it exist for?
Interpretation
This quote emphasizes the importance of cultural education in art through film. It suggests that such venues should introduce new generations to classic filmmakers.
David Hare's quote critiques the purpose of an NFT theatre that does not focus on educating young audiences about influential filmmakers such as Ozu, Ophüls, D. W. Griffith, and Agnes Varda. By questioning the theatre's existence without this educational component, Hare highlights the vital role of film heritage in shaping future audiences and fostering a deeper appreciation for cinema's artistic evolution.
In practice
In a speech about arts funding, I might say, 'As David Hare pointed out, if we aren't educating our youth about influential filmmakers, what is the purpose of our theatres?'
But I always need to identify with a character to write about him or her - and by 'identify,' I mean see the world through that person's eyes and have a strong sense of the inner logic of their acts and decisions, wacky or wrongheaded though they might be. In that sense, I think there's some of me in all of them.
"But that's the price we have to pay for stability. You've got to choose between happiness and what people used to call high art. We've sacrificed the high art.
I have learned as much about writing about my people by listening to blues and jazz and spirituals as I have by reading novels.
I see myself first and foremost as a student of expression.
I believe in poetry as a way of surviving the emotional chaos, spiritual confusions and traumatic events that come with being alive.
… lend your ears to music, open your eyes to painting, and … stop thinking! Just ask yourself whether the work has enabled you to “walk about” into a hitherto unknown world. If the answer is yes, what more do you want?
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