Celluloid Psychology series
Exploring the mind and brain in cinema

Celluloid Psychology was devised by Dr Alastair Smith (School of Psychology) as an antidote to the usual depictions of psychology on our screens. Each of our carefully selected films are curated and introduced by a specialist in human behaviour, who will discuss how their area of expertise can shed unexpected light on the psychological questions explored in the film.
Below some of our chosen academics share their recommended films offering their perspective on what might be familiar works, and others introduce lesser-seen gems that perfectly illustrate an idea or phenomenon.
Available
via YouTube
"This film by Krzysztof Kieslowski is the first in a trilogy on the themes of liberty, equality and fraternity represented by the French flag. Juliette Binoche plays a woman grieving for her husband and daughter, who died in a car crash that she survived. It is a study of grief and recovery as well as freedom, the topic of the film. Binoche tries to escape her anguish by cutting off ties to her previous life, but she cannot escape from other people. Ultimately these human connections help her on the path to recovery, reminding us of our need for social connection and showing that isolation is not the same thing as freedom.
Selected by Professor Jackie Andrade, School of Psychology
Selected by Assistant Professor Sonja Heintz, School of Psychology
Available on
Amazon Prime
"Memento
is a narratively complex and gripping film which centres on the central
character’s search for understanding of his recent past. Leonard suffers from
anterograde amnesia, an inability to form new memories, following an incident
in which his wife was killed. His plight is an extreme illustration of the
human capacity and drive to create a coherent narrative that explains (to
ourselves) our experience and our behaviour. This is seen sometimes in patients
with brain damage who may invent explanations for their behaviour or state
(such as paralysis of one-half of the body) which seem outlandish to observers.
The director (Christopher Nolan) uses many techniques to convey different
perspectives (self and other) in the construction of the story as two parallel
but reversed series of vignettes. In fact, we see Leonard construct the story
for himself as a series of moments receding into the past. This reflects a
fundamental aspect of human memory – its constructive and non-veridical nature.
Our memories are not like a recording of the past. Instead, they are stories that we tell ourselves repeatedly, each time constructing our past, and its meaning, anew.
Just as Leonard approaches a resolution to his attempt to make sense of his past and present the, viewer is led to question their own understanding of events."
Selected by Matt Roser, Lecturer, School of PsychologyAvailable
via BFI Player subscription
"Festen (1998) directed by Thomas Vinterberg (The Hunt, The Commune) was the first Dogme95
film. The Dogme movement itself was a response to Hollywood's increasing
production of low-quality but large-budget films. The movement took away most
of the tools from the film-makers, which we are so familiar today. To mention a
few, the movement did not allow adding music to the film; using special
lighting; including superficial actions (murder, violence, weapons); and also
crediting the director. Dogme95 constrained directors to only display behaviour
on the screen - with very minimal use of film language.
Some say that what the director directs is not the film itself, but the audience's attention. On the other hand, if the tools used to direct the audience's attention are taken away, what can the director do apart from showing us how people behave and interact? There are no music to lighten or elevate the mood and inform us "Something sad is happening, you should feel sad." or "Something bad is going to happen, prepare yourselves!" There are no special effects or lighting to tell us "Look here! This is important!"
In terms of psychology the film relies on behaviour to explore some rather interesting themes, which were taboo at the time. The film subtly dissects these psychological themes through the interactions between characters and the behaviours of individuals.
This exploration centres on both individual and collective denial, but doesn't shy away from racism, hierarchy within the family and also within the society.
As a result of these topics and the minimalistic use of film language, this film had a huge cultural impact. Vinterberg simply brings us to face an unspoken subject in an unapologetically confrontational manner. He does so with a very minimal use of the film-maker's toolkit. It is not surprising then, that the film became one of the cultural milestones that brought us, the public, closer to opening up about psychological trauma."
Available
via YouTube
"Borrowing the title of a song, The Music Never Stopped is a story of a mother and father and their initially
close relationship with their young son. This relationship was cemented through
their shared love of music. As time goes on, the family, mainly the father and
son, drift apart. This is due, in part, to the father’s lack of understanding
of his son’s perspective on the world. Twenty years later, the film tells the
story of the family being brought back together when the son is diagnosed with
a large brain tumour that is affecting his long-term memory. The rest of the
film focuses on Gabriel’s (the son’s) recovery through music therapy and the
painful, as well as joyous, memories this unlocks for all parties.
While
the music therapy element of the film is somewhat dramatized, it provides a
valuable insight into the power of these forms of therapeutic intervention in
unlocking people’s memories and emotions in a positive way."
Selected by Dr Alyson Norman, Associate Professor, School of Psychology
As public understanding of such issues is increasing, the exploration of them within this film can be viewed in a renewed light. Although Being
John Malkovich was released over two decades ago, the themes explored are
arguably even more relevant today."
Selected by Dr Stuart Spicer, Research Fellow, School of Psychology
Our commitment to the safe enjoyment of the arts during the Covid-19 pandemic, means that this season's events are free for you to enjoy at home.
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To find out about the University of Plymouth's range of psychology courses within the School of Psychology, please visit the school page.
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