A Dialectic Approach to Film Form

Eisenstein further elaborates on his concept of montage in “A Dialectic Approach to Film Form.” He cites German writer Johann Wolfgang von Goethe’s reflection that “in nature we never see anything isolated, but everything in connection with something else which is before it, beside it, under it, and over it. Eisenstein argues that the abstract process of thinking results in philosophy while the concrete process of giving form to these thoughts results in art. Thus, art has a social mission to manifest the contradictions of life. I find it interesting that Eisenstein states that the nature of art is a conflict. He says that this conflict is between people’s natural existence and humanity’s creative tendency. He further defines this conflict as between “organic inertia and purposeful initiative.” This resonates with my observation that sometimes I seem to be living my life more consciously then at other times. Some weeks whiz by and I really have to focus to remember what has occurred, while other times the days drag on, as I actively live each moment to the fullest. This equates with Eisenstein’s believe that there is a distinct difference between routine, mundane thought and unbridled, imagination-fueled creativity.