Movies and the Enchanted Mind

Emotional Comprehension and Spiritual Meaning Making among Young Adults in Contemporary Sweden

Bibliographic Data

ID12476927
AuthorsTOMAS AXELSON (Dalarna University, corresponding author)
Year2017
Volume25
Issue1
Pages8-25
Publication date2017-01-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueYoung (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1103-3088 • E-ISSN: 1741-3222
PublisherSAGE Publishing (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1177/1103308816668920
OpenAlexW1153388219
LanguageEN
Citations received4
References cited12

The outcome of an empirical audience study in Sweden, including questionnaires, focus groups and 10 in-depth individual interviews discussing favourite films, supports claims about viewers as active and playful (cf. Frampton, 2006; Hoover, 2006; Plantinga, 2009). The soft side of mediatization processes is illustrated showing young adults experiencing enchantment through films (Jerslev, 2006; Klinger, 2008; Oliver and Hartmann, 2010; Partridge, 2008). The outcome is in line with a growing number of empirical case studies which support conclusions that both thinking and behaviour are affected by film watching (Axelson, 2014; Marsh, 2007; Oliver and Hartmann, 2010; Suckfüll, 2010). The results of the interviews exploring specific scenes of idiosyncratic relevance support theories about fiction films as important sources for moral and spiritual reflection (Lynch, 2007; Partridge, 2004; Plantinga, 2009; Zillman, 2005). The concept of ‘thick viewing’ is proposed for capturing these moments of film experience when profound and enchanted emotional interpretations take place

Aesthetics · Art · Favourite · Focus (optics · Political science · Reflection (computer programming · Relevance (law · Sociology · Theology · Computer Science · Law · Media Influence and Health · Media, Religion, Digital Communication · Paranormal Experiences and Beliefs · Philosophy · Psychology

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