I believe in the Power of the Panda

Summary

The author finds solace and a sense of joy in watching movies, particularly "Kung Fu Panda 4," which helps her cope with a personal crisis and the stresses of life.

Abstract

The author describes a day filled with existential dread and a subsequent panic attack, which leads her to seek comfort in her lifelong love for cinema. Despite being alone in the theater, she finds happiness and escape in the shared experience of film. Her taste in movies has evolved from a preference for art house cinema to a broader appreciation for stories that bring color, life, and love to the screen. The movie "Kung Fu Panda 4" serves as a catalyst for her to confront her own resistance to life's changes, including the loss of a friend and her struggle with identity, by drawing parallels with the protagonist's journey. Through the film's humor and the relatable character of Po, she experiences a cathartic moment that reaffirms her belief in the transformative power of cinema.

Opinions

Cinema is a source of comfort and joy during times of personal crisis.
The author values movies that evoke emotion and provide a sense of connection.
"Kung Fu Panda 4" is seen as more than just entertainment; it's a narrative that mirrors real-life challenges and offers inspiration.
The character of Po in "Kung Fu Panda 4" is relatable and provides comic relief that helps the author cope with her own existential crisis.
The author has a deep appreciation for the emotional and spiritual support that movies can offer.
She acknowledges that her perspective on movies has broadened with time, becoming less discriminating and more inclusive of various genres.
The author emphasizes the importance of love and connection, quoting Frank O'Hara, in deciding whom we love during times of crisis.

I believe in the Power of the Panda

I was having a rough day — the kind of day when you question your entire existence and you are trying to keep panic at bay even though you feel it is catching up with you and suddenly the world feels like it is spinning out of control and before you know it, you are in the middle of a full blown panic attack.

That kind of day.

So what’s a girl supposed to do? Well, in times of trouble, as that great poet Frank O’Hara once wrote in his wonderful poem: Meditations in an Emergency: “In times of crisis, we must all decide again and again whom we love.” And now and forever, I love the movies.

So, when despair lies on one side of the abyss — and terror lies on the other, I do what I always do. I go to the movies. Lately, when I go, I’m the only one there, and as I sit there, eating the requisite popcorn, laughing and crying in all the wrong places, I find my sweet spot and I am truly happy.

All my life, I have been going to the movies, in times of despair, and in times of joy, I turn again and again to my first love: Le Cinema. When I was younger and much more high-falutin’ I went strictly to Art House Cinema: It was “Jules and Jim” and “The Conformist” and “Vivre Sa Vie.”

But now, since I have Lived so much more. “I lived” as Agnes Gooch says in “Auntie Mame” —”I am much less fussy. Just give me some people talking up there on the screen, doing things that have some color and life and perhaps some love and that’s all I need.

So today, in the midst of a full blown panic attack whose cause and details are much too trivial to talk about, I headed to my favorite empty theatre and watched “Kung Fu Panda 4” and knew once again, ecstasy and laughter and inspiration.

The story is simple: Po, that loveable Panda who despite his foibles and clumsiness has managed to become the Dragon Warrior. But now he is being called on to Move on and become the spiritual leader of the Valley of the Peace and to find a worthy successor. But he doesn’t want to move on — he likes it where he is — thank you very much!

And so, he goes into a full blown existential crisis with all the drama and humor that Jack Black can always supply, and suddenly I saw myself and I was able to let go and laugh. Because I realized while watching this silly and funny movie that that was behind all of my own sturm and drang— life has been changing — and I didn’t want it to. A dear friend of mine had passed away — another is sick. And sometimes I don’t know who I am.

But somehow in watching the antics of this Panda Clown, I was able to calm down and just breathe. And so while I am late to the franchise — I have come to believe in the Power of the Panda — and of course, now and forever the Power of le Cinema.

It gives life. It gives joy. It gives laughter — and silly pandas.