"I think in art, but especially in films, people are trying to confirm their own existences"

Jim Morrison reflects on the deeply personal and existential dimension of artistic creation and consumption, suggesting that both artists and audiences engage with art as a means to grapple with questions about identity and being. Within the realm of art, and particularly in films, a medium that fuses visual, narrative, and emotional elements, people seek not merely entertainment but a mirror that can validate who they are or who they hope to become. Through stories, characters, and imagery, viewers often look for representations of their own struggles, desires, fears, and dreams. This process of recognizing oneself, even in the faintest echoes, allows individuals to reaffirm that their inner experiences are real, shared, and meaningful.

Filmmaking, with its immersive quality, activates this search for validation on multiple levels. Watching a film can feel like entering another world, but what compels viewers is often the connection between that world and their own inner reality. When a character expresses doubt, passion, joy, or despair in a way that resonates, the audience member experiences a kind of existential reflection, they see themselves, and in doing so, are reassured of their own existence. On the creative side, directors, writers, and actors may instinctively pour their own truths into the work, crafting narratives that answer unspoken questions about meaning, significance, and personal history.

Art, therefore, is not simply an escape but a confrontation with the complexities of being alive. Confirming one’s existence through film and other art forms involves acknowledging the significance of one’s feelings and confirming that others experience them too. The shared emotional and psychological landscapes depicted on screen become communal spaces where people recognize their humanity. Morrison’s insight highlights the vital role of art in answering existential needs, shaping identity, and forging connections between individuals and the collective human experience.