In a cinematic exploration of tastes, we've gathered personal reflections on favourite film genres from five industry professionals, including Directors and CEOs. From the nostalgic joy of Comedy to the resilience found in True Stories, discover why these genres resonate deeply with those who shape our viewing experiences.
When it comes to the world of cinema, certain film genres have a unique ability to resonate deeply with audiences on a personal level. The reasons behind this phenomenon are multifaceted and intriguing. One of the key factors is the emotional connection that viewers establish with the themes and characters portrayed in these genres. Whether it's the adrenaline rush of an action-packed thriller, the heartwarming moments of a romantic comedy, or the thought-provoking narratives of a drama, each genre offers a distinct emotional experience that strikes a chord with different individuals.
Certain film genres' familiarity and predictability can also contribute to their appeal. Audiences often seek out specific genres because they enjoy the comfort of knowing what to expect in terms of storyline, tone, and overall cinematic experience. Whether it's the exploration of complex moral dilemmas in a psychological thriller or the celebration of love and relationships in a romantic drama, genres can provide a lens through which audiences can examine and make sense of the world around them.
● Comedy Evokes Nostalgic Joy
● Fantasy Offers Magical Escapism
● Musicals Emphasize Human Connection
● Drama Reveals Emotional Depth
● True Stories Inspire Resilience
Comedy Evokes Nostalgic Joy
My favourite film genre is comedy. I think it appeals to me most because I grew up on so many comedies—influenced by my father's taste in film so that it could be anything from The Blues Brothers to The Rocky Horror Picture Show. (There are a few musical numbers in there, too.)
The script is endlessly quotable and takes you back in time to moments of joy and laughter, which really appeals to me. I love comedy for its nostalgia value—I think it brings people together through the power of a giggle.
Katie Thompson, Director, Katie Lingo
Fantasy Offers Magical Escapism
Fantasy has always been my favourite genre, and it is a fun and insightful process to watch these movies. Stories set in magical realms with fantastical landscapes, creatures, and cultures, fascinated by dragons, elves, wizards, and other mythical beings, captivate me.
The way they are narrated, with clear moral dichotomies and epic battles between good and evil, helps me escape the real world, stress, and thoughts and transports me to richly detailed, imaginative worlds where I can immerse myself in a realm of wonder and adventure.
On the creative side, I am a core marketing person, so great CGI, moral lessons, philosophical depth, stunning visual effects, and elaborate set designs that create breathtaking and memorable cinematic experiences appeal to me. Many times, I find characters that I relate to myself and to people around me, which kind of makes me more invested in these films. In the end, my final experience leaves me with a pleasant feeling compared to other genres.
Ajitesh Agarwal, Associate Director, Knowledge Excel
Musicals Emphasize Human Connection
My favourite film genre is movie musicals, which have been around for almost 100 years—since 1929, to name the year of the first one: The Broadway Melody. And the advertising slogan for that film nails what was (and is) special—ALL TALKING! ALL SINGING! ALL DANCING! This is important to us because we value human contact.
In 2024, that counts for more than ever before because we're all constantly settling for images on our phones. Theatre forces us to BE THERE with the actors at the moment. We've got to listen. And in musicals, they're not only speaking but singing!
Bill Rudman, Artistic Director of The Musical Theater Project, The Musical Theater Project
Drama Reveals Emotional Depth
Drama films captivate with their profound storytelling and emotional depth. They connect us to characters on a personal level, revealing the intricacies of the human experience.
In the world of accessibility services, enhancing these rich narratives ensures everyone can share in these powerful stories, making our work at Caption Easy all the more rewarding.
True Stories Inspire Resilience
I enjoy inspirational true stories because they show us the power of the human spirit! Films sharing challenging and difficult circumstances also remind us: we are not alone.
We can feel like we are the only ones struggling, and then we see someone on the big screen dealing with a similar situation. Done correctly, we walk out of the theatre with a renewed sense of purpose, passion, and gusto: If they can do it, so can I!
Lorraine Bossé-Smith, Chief Solutions Officer, Concept One LLC