Totally agree! That's the difference between a movie that's 9/10 and one that's 10/10 for me. A 9/10 is pretty much a perfect movie and has everything you'd ever want in a movie, but lacks that special, personal quality. 10/10 movies are the same as 9/10, except they hit you on a personal level, you relate to them. Even if they're not perfect, they are special to you and you watched them at the perfect moment in your life. If that makes any sense at all lol
Jesus man. Haven't related to a video as much as this one in a very long time. Just finished my last year of film school - now in the same clueless void that i'm sure everyone visits. This is why i love film though, fresh perspectives that can touch and shape you. I can only hope the industry evolves in a way that maintains stories with such power and not just the pre-sold franchise sequels. Thanks Karsten, Jack
@@SkinsFirstGeneration I did and I was absolutely baffled by how much I enjoyed it. I've seen it twice now, and plan to watch it a 3rd time soon. Such a great film.
After watching Eternal Sunshine of The Spotless Mind and that being my favorite film I'm gonna have to wait a second before it gets dethroned because the way you described this film, it's gonna get dethroned
MapleMilk I personally still like eternal sunshine of the Spotless Mind better than synecdoche New York, but synecdoche New York is definitely more ambitious, deep, and impactful (in a jarring way). I think eternal sunshine has more heart and I might like it better because it feels a little more personal in a less larger than life way, I guess synecdoche New York intimidates me a bit haha. Either way, there’s no denying Charlie Kaufman is a genius
Part of why I always have a hard time watching videos about “Synecdoche” is the music. Jon Brion. Ugh. This score TEARS me apart inside. It’s so rich and beautiful and haunting and depressing. And I even feel that way about the music independent of the film. It’s one of the most effective scores I’ve ever heard in my life. And it’s hard to listen to.
Same thing here . As soon as it starts in anyone’s video I’m instantly filled with the dread , depression and anxiety it filled me with . Perfection from Jon .
I don’t really understand why but this video was like a hug, it hit me hard. Karsten, you’re big, man and you do make a difference and an impact, a good one.
Yea so I think that this might be the hug I was needing. I struggle with ocd and anxiety on a quickly becoming crippling manor. But I say hey ohwell it’s me, this is who I am and it’s ok, but then I think we’ll maybe I should get some help, but that’s hard when you have no friends, like true friends, I am friendly with people although I believe that that makes loneliness worse than if I were literally alone, as those people remind you how close you could be to having someone, anyone, just a friend, yet the anxiety half’s me from reaching out. I don’t know what I started this comment thinking I was going to right, but oh well. I guess I found it profoundly comforting, for someone who I admire so much, like truly admire, to talk about anxiety and loneliness and the effects of being kinda alone. Thank you Karsten for being so honest with not only yourself but with all of us.
Fantastic video man, you nailed exactly what this film is all about without even analyzing a frame of it. This movie is, in my opinion, the greatest film ever made and the fact that it's slowly gaining notoriety, and that I'll probably live to see it become a classic makes me very happy tbh.
As you suggested, Caden wants to find meaning, to make sense of it all but in trying to do that, he missed out on Life itself. He hurt people (knowingly or unknowingly) and the play to explore the meaning of life falls in to obscurity, when he finally figures it all out, he is already an old man and dies. There is no greater meaning to life, the meaning of life is to simply be...be in the moment. If you are hungry, eat. If you are tired, sleep. Do something nice for people around, expect nothing in return. Try to do something good for future generation by means of poetry, art, music, literature, science, etc so that the future may benefit from it whatever shape the future takes. By doing so, living life without any meaning, you will have become the Absurd Hero as Camus puts it, one who does not need meaning or purpose but simply exist in content. "Pass through this little stretch of space/time conformably to nature and end your journey in content. The same way an olive falls off a branch when it is ripe, blessing nature who produced it and thanking the tree on which it grew." - The Meditations
To follow up on your comment on him finally figuring it out: He said this at least twice before already in the film, so this could be seen as him still not understanding the meaning of life, even at death.
Maybe it's me, but instead of making me depressed, Synecdoche makes me realize how important life and the people around you are. Perhaps by introducing us to a protagonist who is not exactly a good person who makes mistakes that harm him, it makes me think (I do not intend to end up like him)
True. Dude was like 50 when he wrote Synechdoche New York, and he's thoughts and life perception is those of a 70 year old man. Charlie Kaufman is a genius
@@meeszanten1720 do you have letterboxd? If you do, (it's an app/website) log in and follow Karsten. It will say FAVOURITES: and four movies will be at the bottom
His New Ones Are: It's Such a Beautiful Day Fantastic Mr. Fox Synecdoche, New York La Haine Spot 4 has been frequently changing around from First Reformed, Crumb and Blue Velvet
I wouldn't call myself a MASSIVE fan of yours, but that pan to your Goblin shirt immediately before your mentioning of angstily discovering Odd Future was sublime filmmaking.
This is not the video we were expecting, but the one we need it. Movies reminds us that we are humans, that we feel, fear, love and die. Thats why they it us so hard after we see one with soul, and Synecdoche, New York is just one of those. Just like Synecdoche, New York, this video is covered with your soul Karsten, so personal, so beautiful. Thanks one again for the video and have fun at tiff.
My 13 year old brother died in a car accident two years ago and things like that really change your perspective of life. Life and death are opposites of each other, they're part of each other.
This is the most honest and revelatory video I've ever watched from you and I am HERE FOR IT. I remember being a little kid (8ish) and being obsessed with death. My parents wouldn't let me watch the news and I would lie in bed and become frozen with fear for hours in the dark about the finality of death and what it would be like to just no longer exist...plus coming from a christian background I was like "oh fuck what about hell...". It was horrible and I still have to push the dark thoughts out of my brain late at night or I won't be able to sleep. As for the legacy bit, I have become really interested in my own genealogy lately. I feel a sense of camaraderie with all these people who lived and died and were forgotten. I think of them as they were in life... as daughters, fathers, friends, etc and hate the thought that all they are is forgotten now. I've never watched Synecdoche, New York but I'm inspired to now. It seems like the type of film that will hit everyone in their own respective existential feelers. Thanks for adding a movie to my "You're quarantined and have no excuse" watch list.
You know it feels good knowing there is someone who suffers with health related anxiety, but also that they immerse themselves in the art of film which can help with that burdening thought process. After being a fan for quite some time now, this is far and away my favourite of your videos Karsten. Thank you x
This video is special. It's personal and I love someone talking about something that means so much to them. Thank you for making this, it explains the love for films perfectly.
This is the first video of yours i'm watching and I am deeply impressed at your honesty about yourself, your sense of self and the effect it might have had on you and the people around you. everything you said hit home extremely hard, as someone struggling with the same issues, you actually made me shed a tear. Thank you for this video.
I don’t know exactly what it was about this video but it finally got me to commit to subscribing. I’ve been watching your videos consistently for months yet I never subscribed until this video and something about it genuinely connecting with me. Thank you, Karsten.
I think I let the idea of death consume my life a lot & it just adds on to my anxiety. Thank you for talking about this, Karsten. I’ll definitely need to check this film out! I’ve been here since like 10k & seeing how your videos have improved is such a joy and has grown my love for film. This is your best video yet!
Wow that made me bawl harder than the actual movie did. If it means anything what so ever your channel and podcast are the reasons I fell in love with film. So excited for what the future holds for you man.
Honestly the way you made this video with how personal you got with it is something I truly appreciate that a person can do. Not even as a RU-vidr but just as a person. Even though Fantastic Mr. Fox is still my favorite movie I still think this whole video is amazing in its own right.
thank you, i appreciate that, this video is so beautiful and subjective and the things that you go through is so relatable. lately i have been thinking a lot about how that the things i’m going through other people deal with too. since i met your channel and now the podcast with jeff have been a part of my day that brings me joy and comfort, i feel grateful for. thank you again karsten.
Thank you for this video. You Talking about these issues the way you did was really relatable for me which soothed my emotions and my anxiety a little bit. Bless you
When you say you want to move people, I think about how your channel helped me to become more passionate about movies. it all started with the movie La La land and fom there I found your channel, it was like I was scraping the surface of an industry I really actually enjoyed, and thinking about getting into. thank you for making me discover the power of movies.
He built up an inner world to block out all the pain, cope, and chase meaning. However when this whole world was destroyed, he went to the center of it all to find the only thing that survived and I guess the only thing he ever really wanted which was genuine human connection/affection. I just watched this and your video. The more I think about both the more I connect with it in ways that I hadn’t even thought about before. Thanks.
This might be one of the best video essays I have ever watched and that might be for the exact same reason that I like Kaufman’s films: your honesty and sincerity radiates from the screen with every passing second. Most video essayists only talk about form and structure and idea but none ever relate a piece of art to their personal life, at least not to the degree you’ve done here. I have watched every analysis video on Synecdoche I could find and must say you have found the perfect way to approach this movie and illustrate its meaning. My respect.
This is one of the most powerful RU-vid videos I’ve ever seen. Synecdoche, New York is my favourite film of all time and it has changed my life just as much as it changed yours. I’m glad this video exists. It brought me down to earth, gave me a different prespective of the film and changed me as much as the film did
Karsten, this is now one of my favorite videos of yours. I watch a lot of your videos since your humor tends to make me laugh and you talk about movies. Recently, someone suddenly passed away in my family and coming back to school (for my last year as well) is kind of hard. Watching this makes me realize how amazing film is, how I can get through this time in my life, even with film, and how amazing you are as a storyteller.
this is a gorgeous video. the film itself is a testament to how difficult it is to communicate and deal with these existential thoughts and feelings, so your ability to eloquently express those sentiments in this video is amazing.
I know this videos from a few years ago so you probably won’t see this, but you already have had a positive effect on people! Your channel is a big part of why I and I’m sure a lot of your subscribers started watching and appreciating film to the extent that I do now
I wish this video reached me sooner, it’s one of my all time favorites right now. This video means so so much to me. Recently I’ve had crazy amounts of panic and anxiety over death, to the point where I will loose sleep as to not die in my sleep. I know it’s silly but the idea of just nothing forever is one of the worst things in the world to me. Often my friends who I communicate this to feel sad, but can’t really relate as they are more comfortable with the idea of death than I am. It’s means a lot to me seeing someone who helps me see I’m not alone. Thank you.
I completely understand that fear of death. For me its the anxiety of not knowing what comes after all of this. It's scary because the more I think about it the more detached and indifferent I feel towards life itself. Similar to you, I've never been popular and I definitely went through an angsty phase, but I found a solace in the medium of film and tv. It helps me make sense of life and the emotions I'm feeling.
Damn, this video hit me hard. I've had so many of thoughts you've had and it's really comforting to watch this video. I saw this movie for the first time when I was 16 and it emotionally gut-punched me. It made me depressed and caused me to zone out of life for a few weeks. When I saw it three years later I had such a different perspective on it and I was able to better emotionally handle it. This video perfectly hits on why I felt that way and it feels like the perfect reflection of what I was facing all those years ago. Over time this film however bleak it can be helped me come to terms with the more darker aspects of life. Like you, this has quickly become of my favourite movies too and I wanna thank you for making such a beautiful and relevant video.
Your delivery of this dreadful, terrifying, yet relatable information, even though I've never seen the movie, nor do I know you, really hit me hard. You made a good video man.
This video feels so personal yet there's so many ways to relate to it. it's incredible how film can make you see so many aspects of your own life. As this video gets out I'm going into my junior year of high school and dealing with decisions that will permanently affect my future, and I find that one of the only things that make sense in my life right now is film. I don't know why this video hit so close home if I haven't even watched this film and I can't pretend to find myself in the same situation as you, but hearing people so personlly about how film affected their life is something that I will always find enthralling. I loved this video and I assure you it hit many people as hard as it hit me.
hey i loved this video a ton. i watched this movie about a year ago and i feel like the more i revisit it the more i learn from it. it wasn't until i actually learned the definition of the word 'synecdoche' that i felt as if i understood what i was needed to from the movie: that one person is representative of all people. or that, everyone is everyone. as someone who as watched your videos for years i really appreciated this and loved hearing your personal take on this movie. thank you.
the beauty of film is how it can move you to the point where you think it's magical. Sometimes a film can reach you at an emotional level that you think wasn't even possible. For Karsten this film is Synecdoche, New York. Thank you for this video.
karsten you probably dont care, but your videos inspire me in ways you dont even understand. you helped spark my immense passion for film. you introduced me to life-changing films. you changed the way i watch and perceive movies. your content has made a huge impact on my life, so in that way, your existence and your work is worthwhile. thank you.
That feeling you described coming home from studying abroad and wanting things to be fixed really resonated with me. I haven't been able to put a meaning behind it but you hit the nail on the head. This video means a lot, thanks for being so honest.
Hey so I just got around to watching this video and this literally should be titled my love letter to film because yes this is/was your favorite movie and the reasons you give are extremely significant but what truly is described in this video is why films are so important in many peoples lives. This was awesome. Thank you.
Karsten, you do make a difference already, even just with this channel. Your discussions of this art form make an impact on me, and I'm sure they do for a lot of other people as well.
pretty comforting to know someone as knowledgeable as you got into film around the same time i did, i always felt like maybe i got into it too late, but if you got into it later in your life than i did, i'm a lot more confident that i can still learn a lot about film throughout my life!
This video is amazing, I’m so glad you don’t spoil much of it for those who haven’t seen it, I hope lots of people watch this movie because of this video thank you for spreading such a good ass message
Welcome to the Charlie Kaufman Club 👍 I am glad you enjoyed this film. I discovered it because of *YMS* two years back but I saw it just last year and ever since then it has become My All Time Fav Film too. A True Masterpiece!
Hey Karsten, I’ve been watching your videos and be subscribed for a year? maybe more? not sure, and I listen to your podcast fairly recently. I just want to thank you for making this video. I believe it is your best and it really impacted me emotionally. I haven’t even seen Synecdoche, New York. Anyway, thanks. :)
Hey man thanks for sharing all of that. It’s really cool and refreshing to hear such honesty and openness on this medium haha. But seriously it was really inspiring. You are making a difference
