A Cognitive-Affective Approach to Foregrounding Categorical-Thematic Patterns in Popular Cinema. Issue 3 (1st December 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Stopel, Bartosz
• Is Part Of: Projections. Volume 15:Issue 3(2021)
• Page Start: 1
• Page End: 23
• Publication Date: 2021-12-01
• Subjects: aesthetic emotions -- categorical processing -- cognitive-affective approach -- thematic patterns -- Pan's Labyrinth; Filmwetenschap; 791.4301
• DOI: 10.3167/proj.2021.150301
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1934-9688

Abstract

Abstract: The article sets out to discuss disruptions of the embodied flow of movie perception triggered by foregrounded categorical-thematic patterns. First, categorical-thematic patterns are framed in a cognitive perspective and tied to categorical (or parallel) information processing as opposed schematic (sequential). I argue that the former are not prototypical of embodied movie perception and tend to be disruptive if foregrounded, as they are more prevalent in art cinema. Next, I indicate how categorical-thematic patterns may encourage a type of non-habitual pattern recognition producing a number of emotional and aesthetic effects: delight at pattern isolation, wonder emotions, emotional focus of a story theme, and intensification or modulation of global and empathetic emotions. Finally, I turn to illustrate these points using Pan's Labyrinth, a film that systematically foregrounds categorical-thematic patterns yet naturalizes them, alleviating disruption of movie perception. This, I believe, marks an effective strategy of importing avant-garde film techniques into popular cinema.