Reflection: To Be a Transcendentalist Today

Nora Alter says that the film essay can present “reflections that are not necessarily bound to reality, but can also be contradictory, irrational, and fantastic.” In my film, “To Be a Transcendentalist Today”, I was most concerned with explaining and exploring the complexities of bringing the ideals of 19th century Romanticism and Transcendentalism and applying them to today’s world in both a modern historical context and a philosophical evaluation of what that can mean on an individual level. My film’s pace is slow, languid, meditative, which I find fitting for this subject, although, looking back now, I wish it provided more excitement. My film is also heavy on audio from one individual, Richard Harris. The choice to dominate the film so heavily with spoken words may seem strange, but Transcendentalism is deeply intertwined on a fundamental level with the importance of language as a means of creating literature, poetry, and a forum for the debate and exchange of ideas. The decision to only use Harris as a source may seem flawed, but I believed it was most important to receive an expert opinion and explain his interpretation. A key component of Transcendentalism is individualism/self-reliance, and it is important to recognize this film as simply one individual’s understanding of the modern meaning of Transcendentalism. It is an understanding that I agree with and that has influenced me, but Transcendentalism seeks to motivate people to explore and decide their ideas for themselves. Richard Harris is therefore not telling the audience what to think; he is merely seeking to discuss it, to pose ideas and questions for further reflection. As a hardcore Transcendentalist, I was obviously intrigued by the subject of my film. While I sought to make the ideas relatable and intriguing to non-Transcendentalists, I am uncertain whether I was successful. If I could do anything about this film differently, it would be to condense the content and create a more visual flair through stronger cinematography. But, what’s done is done, and I was pleased with my film in most respects.