Viewing experience

"... This is just my opinion, hoping to satisfy the answers to the questions you wanted to know. Thank you!" Bella nodded and politely sat down. She had received the answers she wanted.

After Lyman answered several more questions, the staff on-site came to remind that they needed to prepare for the screening of the next film. Every feast must come to an end.

The Q&A session also reached its final stage, and Lyman picked up the microphone again, looking at the audience in front of him, and sincerely said, "First of all, I am very grateful to all the audience who came here and patiently watched this film. Thank you again for your support."

Applause erupted from the audience, and everyone responded politely.

"Secondly, I want to thank my crew members. It is our collective team effort that has made this film possible today..."

After delivering a speech, the screening came to an end. The audience finished watching the film and began to leave one after another.

"How was it?"

George looked at Lyman in front of him, his smile couldn't be concealed.

"A very good start, I hope we can maintain this level of performance in the future."

Although at the beginning, EuropaCorp asked Lyman to cooperate with the screening of the film at the Sundance Film Festival for promotional purposes, which also allowed "3 Idiots" to win tickets for the official screening in the exhibition hall. But now, after the release, it had received a very positive response from the audience, and they were enthusiastic about the film. For both Lyman and EuropaCorp, this was a good thing.

"I think we have a good chance this time," George said, nodding slowly with a smile. "Maybe we can strive for an award or something."

Lyman shook his head and showed a modest smile. "This is just the first screening; everything is still too early. And I'm already starting to worry about the film reviews in major newspapers tomorrow."

In the end, Lyman still had some uncertainties in his mind. Although the audience's response seemed to indicate that the film was well-liked and appreciated, it didn't make Lyman ecstatic, thinking that the outcome was already determined.

George patted Lyman's shoulder and said with a smile, "Regarding that, I think you don't have to worry. EuropaCorp has made arrangements." It meant that they had already informed the film critics and would try to speak positively about the movie.

After chatting for a while, and exchanging greetings with the staff responsible for the film screening, the five of them left the venue and returned to the hotel.

Lying on the bed, Lyman still had some worries in his heart. He knew that today's premiere was just the beginning; the critics' reviews were one aspect, but the most important thing was the film's performance after its official release in theaters across the country. In the end, how many films received overwhelming praise but had poor box office results in this era? Even if they could win a major award at the Sundance Film Festival, it would only serve as a promotional boost for the film's release.

The key was still the market's acceptance. So, despite the positive reactions from the audience after watching the film, and everyone seemed to love it, Lyman didn't become blindly confident.

Let's see how things unfold. Lyman thought so and quickly closed his eyes, entering the realm of dreams. The Q&A session earlier had exhausted him, and after it ended, he didn't have much energy left.

At the same time, after returning to the hotel, Bella picked up a notepad and started preparing to write a film review. It was her job to provide articles for the media and newspapers covering the film festival. However, she held the pen in her hand for a long time, not knowing where to start. There were so many aspects to write about this film.

On a superficial level, "3 Idiots" satirized the Indian education system, where students only focused on "studying" but didn't know how to apply their knowledge or find joy in what they learned.

Didn't this topic hold profound significance? Seeing how Raju and the senior students were crushed by heavy pressure, driven to the point of despair and contemplating suicide, it not only satisfied the American concept of career education, allowing students to freely choose their life goals, but it also subtly praised the benefits of the American education system. Through watching this film, viewers could derive a sense of psychological satisfaction. They could look at the poor education system of backward countries and self-righteously lament the state of the world.

It could also evoke sympathy from the audience, which was great. This was not just speculation. The appearance of a topic always accompanies two different voices. The current state of education in India, especially as portrayed in the film, was so oppressive. It vividly showcased the meatgrinder-like written examination system that determined whether a student could graduate, which could also generate a sense of satisfaction for the audience. Because people always tend to take pleasure in comparing their misfortunes.

Haha, I am miserable, but you are even more miserable. Suddenly, I feel much better. Isn't that enough?

But Bella didn't want to write about these aspects. Just as the director mentioned during the Q&A session, the formation of an educational system in a region is closely linked to various factors such as social factors and cultural customs. Is it really good to just criticize without considering other factors?

Perhaps when the education resources in the United States become as scarce as in India, coupled with numerous class conflicts and a struggling economy, they may not necessarily perform better than India. Such unfair comparisons are quite meaningless.

Rather than telling the story of ICE, the film was more like using this perspective to objectively narrate the architecture and concept of the Indian education system. Such contemplations exist all over the world, and education has always been a concern for all humanity.

Bella repeatedly tried to reveal some deeper insights, savoring her feelings while watching the film, but she couldn't grasp that sensation. Suddenly, she thought of the comedic moments in the first half of the film that brought joy to her. With this in mind, she suddenly had inspiration.

Bella picked up her pen and began to write.

"I went to see "3 Idiots" today and gained a lot.

The film addresses many issues...

Student suicide.

Class disparity.

Materialism.

Rote learning education.

Of course, I may not have fully understood them, but I am well aware that these are some of the opinions that I formed after watching this film.

In India, from the day a human life is born, it is labeled. It determines whether you are considered a "person" or a so-called "untouchable".

Their national situation is like this, and with limited material resources and education, facing a rapidly growing population, many problems easily arise.

Of course, even if I know some of these problems, there's not much I can do.

I can choose to selectively ignore them. Why should I worry about things that don't concern me?

But after watching such a film, there always seems to be something pressing on my chest that needs to be expressed.

I completely feel that it is a film deserving of respect.

At least it moves me and carries many profound lessons and observations.

Many people want to do what they desire, but the process is often unsatisfying.

Rancho always likes to say the phrase "aal iz well", which may not solve any problems on the surface but gives people the courage to face these problems. This is why the saying "The problem itself is not the problem; it's how you perceive the problem" is so apt.

Mere memorization does not bring joy in learning. Learning is not about pursuing results but enjoying the process, doing meaningful things with an unburdened mind, striving for personal excellence. Success will naturally follow when least expected.

There are two types of lives: one that follows predetermined rules and lives a conventional life, which everyone thinks is correct but doesn't bring personal happiness; the other is a life where you choose your own path, which may be frowned upon or even face opposition from others. But if you follow this chosen path, you will find happiness. The movie presents us with this choice: which kind of life do we want?

Perhaps what I have mentioned above only scratches the surface of my understanding, and not everyone may agree. But does it really matter?

The two hours of watching this film made me feel great, and some of the remarkable scenes are still deeply imprinted in my mind. Perhaps that's the magic of this film, like a seed rooted in our hearts, accumulating strength, waiting to emerge someday."

At this point, Bella paused for a moment, nodded with certainty, and continued writing. She had many things she wanted to say.

"After saying so much and understanding so much, I realize that I can't change much. India, a country I have come to know somewhat, will my words make any difference? It's impossible. This is just how the world is. It has produced many insightful individuals, but we still struggle with the unfair distribution of wealth. Why does the class problem persist, where a few benefit at the expense of the majority? Why, in an era of increasing material abundance, do some people still suffer from poverty?

People say that it's precisely because of poverty that more wealth needs to be created.

But in reality, the problem lies not in the scarcity of resources in the world. There are enough resources to satisfy everyone's needs.

It's just that, as the saying goes, "No one can satisfy everyone's greed".

This unfair distribution stems from that.

Let it be.

My understanding of watching this film is that if I can gain a memorable line, a poignant scene, or a powerful shot that resonates within me, even if it's just a three-minute burst of enthusiasm, it's enough.

Because in those three minutes of enthusiasm, there are three minutes of contemplation and three minutes of contribution.

I can't change anything, but I can examine my own inner self."

Finally, she gave the film review a title, "We All Aspire for Excellence."