The Power of Symbols

Storytelling has been a passion of mine. So, part of what I wanted to take up while learning on my own, is Filmmaking, and recently, I've been intrigued by the importance of symbols in moving picture.

I learned that as a visual storyteller, symbols in film are powerful tools to share abstract concepts that are not easy to translate into words which I believe holds power.

A movie that used a lot of symbolisms, was the 2019 Academy Award winning movie “Parasite”, by Bong Joon-ho. I could go on all day about the confused, uneasy, and striking feelings I have on the film, but let’s save that for another day.

One symbol in Parasite, was the “Viewing Stone”, which represented Ki-woo’s aspiration for wealth. Another is “Smell” which translated into the inescapable poverty that Ki-woo’s father felt. These simple symbols brought out a new way of introducing the destructiveness of “Greed”, the movie’s motif, and how it changes people. This is why I believe that symbols hold power.

Being part of the audience, we are reminded of mundane concepts. We learn, reflect and are inspired, depending on the film. It’s in this way of translating everyday ideas, feelings, theories and moral lessons, that I find symbols to be important and why I am so drawn to visual storytelling!

Is there a movie that struck you? Let me know in the comments!

Till then, stay creative!