Affecting profundity: Cognitive and moral dissonance in lynch, Loach, Linklater, and Sayles

Wyatt Moss-Wellington

Research output: Journal PublicationArticlepeer-review

4 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Cognitive dissonance provides a model for understanding how we experience film texts as profound. This article looks at the ways in which filmmakers might motivate or exploit the pleasure of resolving familiar narrative dissonance to inspire emotions associated with profundity, sublimity, or transcendence. David Lynch scholarship provides a primary case study in the conflation of cognitive dissonance and transcendence, however it is contended that moral obligations to rape and trauma victims are sublimated in the process. Alternative moral dissonances across a range of different cinematic modes are subsequently addressed. Comparative analysis of vigilantism in American revenge and "social cleansing" films, Ken Loach's social realism, Richard Linklater's Bernie (2011), and John Sayles's Lone Star (1996) permits an exploration of variability in filmic dissonance and narrative comprehension, as well as alternative approaches to filmmaking ethics and responsibility. The article concludes with suggestions for an applied ethics extended from cognitive film theory.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)38-62
Number of pages25
JournalProjections (New York)
Volume11
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2017
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Cognitive dissonance
  • David lynch
  • Film ethics
  • John sayles
  • Ken loach
  • Richard linklater

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Cultural Studies
  • Communication
  • Visual Arts and Performing Arts

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Affecting profundity: Cognitive and moral dissonance in lynch, Loach, Linklater, and Sayles'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this