I can't really remember my life without movies.

Elle Fanning’s words, “I can’t really remember my life without movies,” strike at the very heart of how deeply cinema has woven itself into the fabric of modern existence. For Fanning, the world of film has not been something that merely existed alongside her life; it has become an integral part of her identity and experience. To say that she cannot remember a time without movies is not just to reflect on a personal history intertwined with cinema—it is to recognize how films shape our understanding of the world, our emotions, and ourselves. The quote speaks to the power of art to define and transform the way we live, perceive, and dream.

In the ancient world, storytelling was the vessel by which wisdom and experience were passed down through generations. Whether around the fire, in grand halls, or in the form of sacred epics, the narrative has always been a way for human beings to process their existence, to explore their fears and dreams. The Greek tragedies, for example, were not merely performances—they were life’s reflections on human frailty, destiny, and moral choices. Movies are the modern equivalent of these ancient narratives. They offer a window not just into the characters and stories they present, but into the very essence of what it means to be human, making them indispensable to those who grow up with them.

Much like Homer’s Iliad or Sophocles’ Oedipus, films offer a mirror to the soul. To say one cannot remember a life without them is to say that life itself is a narrative—and for Fanning, movies have been the lens through which she has viewed the story of her own existence. Film is no longer just a pastime, but a vessel for identity. The stories on the screen, with their sweeping emotions, epic characters, and moral dilemmas, allow us to experience life’s truths—often more deeply than the ordinary world ever could. Just as the Greeks looked to their gods for understanding, so too do we look to movies for meaning in the complexities of modern life.

This idea—the deep connection between life and art—reminds us of Aristotle’s concept of catharsis. In his Poetics, he spoke of how the tragic drama evokes pity and fear in the audience, allowing them to experience profound emotions and release them through the characters’ struggles. Today, we experience this catharsis not only in the theatre but in the movies we watch. Through films, we process our own desires, conflicts, and emotions, often finding resolution in the narrative arcs that play out on the screen. Fanning’s words suggest that this emotional release is so entwined with her being that it has become an inseparable part of her life—much as storytelling was inseparable from the lives of ancient cultures.

Consider the great figure of Augustus, the first Roman emperor, who understood the power of narrative in shaping his rule. He commissioned monumental works of art and literature, such as the Aeneid by Virgil, to promote his image and solidify his reign. By controlling the story of Rome’s origins and greatness, he controlled the identity of his people. In the same way, movies today have the power to shape our collective identity, to influence how we view our culture, our morality, and our future. Like the great works of antiquity, movies serve as a compass—guiding the emotional and intellectual direction of entire generations.

Fanning’s connection to movies is not just personal—it is a reflection of a larger truth about our modern world. We live in a time when cinema is the dominant form of storytelling, a time when the experiences and lessons of our ancestors are conveyed not only in written word or oral tradition but through the visual medium. Movies teach us, shape us, and mold us—from the simplest joys to the most complex moral dilemmas. They are no longer mere entertainment; they are vital parts of our emotional and cultural landscape, and those who grow up with them often cannot remember life without their influence.

The lesson, then, is clear: understand the profound impact that storytelling—whether through movies, books, or other mediums—has on your life. The stories you consume shape your understanding of who you are and what you believe. Like Fanning, who has grown up in the world of movies, we too must recognize the power that art has to define our worldview, and we must choose wisely the stories we engage with. Immerse yourself in those stories that challenge you, that make you think, and that open your heart to the complexities of the human condition. Just as the ancients understood the power of myth, we too must understand the power of cinema to mold us into who we are meant to become. Choose your stories with care, for they will shape your life as surely as they have shaped the lives of generations before you.