Films to Inspire
Recently, I watched Dead Poets Society (1989) with my partner and her roommate and found myself overcome with emotion. To see how the impact of John Keating’s teachings and the philosophies guiding particular poems manifested within the lives of these elite prep school boys was incredibly stirring. Longing to lose ourselves in the world of poetry, we formed our own knockoff Dead Poets Society, reading and analyzing poems that we love and searching for new poetry that fit within specific themes. Not only did this film inspire us to forge a new tradition, but it inspired me to shed the shackles of expectations; the narrative focuses on how these kids use poetry as a catalyst for living more authentically to their personal desires, thus shedding their own shackles. Keating sought to teach his students to seize the day and make their lives extraordinary – a lesson that transcends the confines of the film. If you’ve been feeling stagnant, as I know a lot of people have amid the ongoing global epidemic, I would highly recommend immersing yourself in the autumn of 1959 with Neil Perry and his pals.
Dead Poets Society (1989)
This feeling – of being washed over by the narrative of a film and desiring to make changes to your own life – is one that I’ve experienced before. Watching Dead Poets Society evoked a sense of nostalgia, leading me to recollect similar others. The first film that came to mind was The Kings of Summer (2013), which I first saw the summer prior to my senior year. The main character, who was also on the precipice of adulthood, abandoned responsibility and familial expectations to seek freedom, building himself a whimsical home in the woods with his friends. This is the perfect film to watch prior to or amid the summer months, as you’ll find yourself motivated to seek more personal freedom, and perhaps also to seek a sense of home amid the wilderness. You might also feel inclined to rectify any domestic animosity by engaging in heart-to-heart conversations with loved ones. Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986) and The Way Way Back (2013) have a similar effect. All four of these films are centred on characters who defy norms, expectations, and stereotypes. These coming-of-age movies always seem to inspire change, which, I think, is an aspect of their foundational purpose and beauty. That feeling – the one that leaves you motivated to seek changes, whether great or small – is instrumental to their ability to inspire. So, if you find yourself feeling lethargic and uninspired, I would highly recommend watching any or all of these films!
The Kings of Summer (2013)