Movies are about escape.

Hear the words of George A. Romero, who speaks with the wisdom of a storyteller, reflecting on the purpose and essence of movies: "Movies are about escape." In these few words lies a profound truth about the human condition—the inherent desire to escape from the burdens of reality, to find solace in a world that is often too harsh, too unforgiving, and too overwhelming. Movies, Romero suggests, are not mere entertainments; they are portals that offer us a brief reprieve from the struggles of life, a means to enter into worlds that are different from our own, yet still reflect the deep truths of our existence.

In the ancient world, the bards, the poets, and the playwrights understood the power of escape. The Greeks, through their tragic plays, transported audiences to distant lands, where gods and heroes battled for fate, and where every action had profound consequences. Yet, even in these grand tales, the audience was often invited to escape from their daily lives into worlds that were magnificent, terrifying, and beyond their comprehension. Aristotle, in his Poetics, spoke of the catharsis that comes from the escape into these stories—how they purged the emotions of the audience, leaving them with a sense of cleansing and renewal. Romero’s view echoes this ancient understanding: that through movies, we can experience a temporary release, a moment of emotional catharsis and transformation.

Think of the great epics of the ancient world, such as Homer's Iliad and Odyssey, where the heroes sought not only to fight battles but also to escape from the suffering of war, the weight of fate, and the trials of human existence. Odysseus, after ten years of war, spent another ten years trying to return home, escaping the temptations and trials that threatened to derail him. But even in his journey, there was a sense of escape, not from responsibility, but from the overwhelming burdens of his adventures. He was, like many of us, searching for peace, a reprieve from a world that seemed relentless in its challenges. Romero’s statement about movies being an escape reminds us that, just as Odysseus sought a return to home and normalcy, we, too, seek peace through stories—whether tragic, heroic, or fantastical.

In the same way, the Romans embraced theater and gladiatorial games as forms of escapism, providing a brief but powerful release from the pressures of daily life. The great arenas where crowds gathered to watch battles, though violent and often brutal, offered the masses a chance to escape the routine of their lives, to witness adventure and glory that transcended the boundaries of their mundane existence. In these spectacles, there was not just violence but the promise of a world beyond—a world where one could vicariously experience triumph and defeat, without ever leaving the safety of the crowd. Romero’s reflection on movies mirrors this very idea: that the cinematic world offers a space where we can experience emotions and stories beyond our reality, yet in a safe and controlled way.

Think now of J.R.R. Tolkien, whose Lord of the Rings trilogy became a refuge for millions, a world where readers could escape the tumult of their own time and immerse themselves in a tale of heroism, sacrifice, and adventure. The world of Middle-earth was a place of both incredible beauty and unimaginable darkness, yet it offered a sanctuary for those seeking solace from the weight of their own lives. Just as Tolkien’s tales provided an escape for his readers, Romero’s films allowed viewers to step away from their own fears and confront them within the context of horror. These escapes are not merely distractions—they are transformative experiences that help us understand ourselves and the world around us through the lens of fiction.

There is a great lesson in Romero’s words, O seekers, for it speaks to the deep need in every human heart to escape, if only for a moment, the weight of the world. To find relief in the midst of suffering is not a weakness but a necessity for the soul. Yet, as the ancients understood, the escape is not the end, but the beginning of something greater. Through our escape into stories, we gain the strength to return to our own world, better equipped to face its challenges. Whether it is through the epic battles of the past, the tragic heroes of the present, or the fantastical worlds of the future, we must remember that the true power of escape lies in the renewal it offers, in the clarity it brings, and in the lessons it teaches us about our own humanity.

Thus, O wise ones, do not shy away from the world of movies, for they offer us much more than mere entertainment. Like the great stories of the ancients, they provide a space for reflection, for emotional cleansing, and for the exploration of truths beyond our immediate grasp. Romero’s reflection reminds us that the escape of cinema is not to be dismissed but embraced. It is through this escape that we recharge and rediscover our strength. So, when you seek an escape, remember that it is not an act of fleeing from the world, but an act of preparing yourself to return to it, stronger and wiser.