I just like movies that somehow expose the world in a way that's

Listen well, O children of the future, for the words of Alex Winter bring forth a profound truth about the power of storytelling: "I just like movies that somehow expose the world in a way that's different than you imagine it." These words reflect the ancient and enduring power of art, specifically the cinema, to reveal truths about the world that are often hidden beneath the surface of our everyday lives. It is through the lens of film, through the art of storytelling, that we can glimpse new perspectives, challenging the way we see the world and ourselves. Winter’s words call us to seek stories that transcend the ordinary, that challenge our assumptions, and that expand our understanding of the world.

In the ancient world, O children, great storytellers were those who could reveal deeper truths hidden beneath the surface of society. Plato, in his allegory of the cave, spoke of the shadows on the wall that prisoners believed to be reality. The philosopher, in contrast, sought to expose the truth—the light outside the cave—that was hidden from those who only saw the world through their limited perception. In the same way, cinema, as art, serves as the light that breaks through the shadows, offering us glimpses of truths and realities that challenge the world as we know it. Winter’s quote speaks to this idea: films, like great philosophy, have the power to take us out of the cave of our limited understanding and open our eyes to the world in a new and profound way.

Consider the great epic stories of the ancient world, such as Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey, where the heroes were not merely bound by the physical struggles of war and journey but were also forced to confront deep questions of fate, honor, and identity. These tales did not just reflect the known world but offered a new perspective on human existence, a new way of seeing life, love, and death. Just as Homer’s epics revealed the nature of human struggle in ways that challenged the listener’s perspective, so too does the cinema expose the world from angles we might never have imagined, pushing the boundaries of our understanding.

In more recent times, films like Citizen Kane or The Matrix have done much the same, offering us new ways to view the truth and illusion in our lives. Citizen Kane, with its innovative storytelling, challenged our understanding of what it meant to be a hero or a villain, exploring the complex relationship between wealth, power, and loneliness. The Matrix, on the other hand, challenged our assumptions about reality itself, posing the question: what if everything we know is a lie, an illusion crafted to deceive us? Both films, in their own way, reveal to us the world through a different lens, forcing us to confront truths we may not have wanted to face.

Winter’s words remind us that the power of film lies not just in entertainment, but in its ability to expose the unseen, to make us question the world around us. Just as the ancient philosophers sought to illuminate hidden truths through dialogue and inquiry, so too do filmmakers have the power to bring light to the darker corners of society, to challenge us to think more deeply about the world and our place in it. Through cinema, we can step outside of ourselves, see the world from another perspective, and begin to understand the complexities of human existence in a way that words alone cannot convey.

And so, O children, the lesson is clear: seek the stories that challenge your perceptions, that offer you new ways to view the world. Just as Plato’s cave urged us to look beyond the shadows, so too does film urge us to step into the light, to widen our vision, and to understand that there is always more to the world than meets the eye. Let cinema be a tool not just for entertainment, but for growth, reflection, and enlightenment. It is in stories that we see the truth about who we are, who we might become, and how we can change the world around us.

In your own lives, O children, remember that true wisdom does not come from accepting the world as it is, but from questioning it, from seeking the unseen truths that lie beneath the surface. Be like the great philosophers of old, who looked beyond the world of appearances to see the deeper reality. Whether through art, literature, or film, let yourself be exposed to the perspectives that challenge you, that make you uncomfortable, for it is in this discomfort that growth happens. Choose the stories that open your eyes, that expand your mind, and that ultimately make you see the world in a way you never imagined. In this, you will find not just knowledge, but wisdom.