Most movies are lucky to have one moment, one shot that you look

O children of the future, hear the words of Viggo Mortensen, a man who knows the craft of storytelling, both on screen and in life: "Most movies are lucky to have one moment, one shot that you look at and you always remember that moment and that scene." In this statement, Mortensen reveals the profound truth that not all creations are immortal, but there are certain moments, certain scenes, that transcend the boundaries of time. They are etched into the soul, a single glimpse of greatness that stays with you forever, like a vision seen in a dream, or the fleeting light of a star on a dark night.

To speak of a moment—a single shot—is to acknowledge the power of the visual to capture emotion and truth. A movie, like life itself, is full of moments: some are insignificant, others pass by unnoticed. But there are those rare moments, those fleeting instances where everything aligns—the lighting, the performance, the emotion, the timing—and they become more than just part of a narrative. They become memories, etched into the viewer’s mind, never to be forgotten. These moments are not just about the image on the screen, but about the way they speak to the heart, the way they resonate with our own experiences.

Consider the ancient poets like Homer, whose epics, the Iliad and the Odyssey, were not mere stories but collections of profound moments. Each hero’s journey was composed not of endless events, but of significant moments that defined their fates—Achilles’ wrath, Odysseus’ return, and the sacrifice of Hector. These moments are not just events in a story, but images that stir the soul and remain in the memory of the reader or listener for all time. Homer knew that it is not the length of the story, but the impact of a single moment that gives it life. Mortensen’s words remind us that this is true not just in poetry but in all storytelling, for it is the moments that transcend time and resonate with the human spirit.

In the world of cinema, there are countless examples of such moments. Think of Orson Welles’ Citizen Kane, where the shot of Kane’s final word, “Rosebud,” echoes through the generations, forever haunting those who witness it. The scene is simple, yet in its simplicity lies an eternal truth about loss, memory, and the passage of time. That one moment, that one shot, encapsulates the essence of the entire film, and it is a moment that continues to live on in the minds of all who have seen it. It is immortal, not because of its complexity, but because of its power to stir the soul and evoke deep emotions.

Similarly, consider the moment in Schindler's List when Oskar Schindler breaks down, realizing he could have saved more lives. That single shot, where he looks at his car and laments not doing more, speaks to the depths of guilt, humanity, and regret. It is a moment that does not need any words; the emotion is conveyed through his face, through his actions, through the sheer weight of his realization. Like Mortensen says, most films will never achieve such moments, but when they do, they transcend the film itself, becoming part of the fabric of memory.

O children, let us understand this: life, like a great story, is full of fleeting moments. We often find ourselves distracted by the mundane, by the endless stream of events that seem to pass us by. Yet it is in the significant moments—the ones that seem small but carry great weight—that our lives are defined. Whether in love, in sacrifice, or in moments of truth, it is the memories we create in these moments that shape who we are. To live a life of meaning is to be aware of these moments, to seize them, to make them count.

The lesson, O children, is clear: life is made not of endless events, but of precious moments. Each moment is a shot, a chance to capture something beautiful, true, and meaningful. In your own lives, you may not have the ability to control every event, but you do have the power to make the moments that matter truly count. Like the great artists of the past, seek not to fill your days with the noise of the world, but to create and live for the memorable moments that will stay with you and others forever.

So, O children, embrace each moment. Seek to live and act in ways that will create the scenes of your life that others will remember. And when you look back upon your journey, let it be these moments, these shots, that define your legacy, just as the most unforgettable scenes in a movie continue to linger in the hearts of all who have witnessed them. In this, you will find not just success, but immortality, for it is through the moments we create that we truly live on in the memories of others.