Hello and welcome to the Cinema Therapy Blog. I’m rolling out the red carpet as an invitation to you!
Cinema therapy is a great therapeutic tool with which to help with self growth and exploring different issues and challenges. With the use of character analysis, cinema therapy helps us to look at our self from various perspectives. In this manner, cinema therapy is a unique invitation into self exploration. I like to call it the red carpet of therapeutic approaches to therapy.
The history of using a red carpet to welcome and honor people is a long tradition. A red carpet is traditionally used to mark the route taken by heads of state on ceremonial and formal occasions, and has in recent decades been extended to use by VIPs and celebrities at formal events.
The earliest known reference to walking a red carpet in literature is in the play Agamemnon by Aeschylus, written in 458 BC. When the title character returns from Troy, he is greeted by his vengeful wife Clytemnestra who offers him a red path to walk upon.
Oriental carpets in Renaissance painting often show rugs and carpets, patterned but with red often the main background color, laid on the steps to a throne, or on a dais where rulers or sacred figures are placed.
A red carpet was rolled out to a river to welcome the arrival of United States president James Madison in 1821. In 1902, The New York Central Railroad used plush crimson carpets to direct people as they boarded their 20th Century Limited passenger train. This is believed to be the origin of the phrase “red-carpet treatment”. Film premieres are often laid down with red carpets.
A red carpet is also used in gala celebrity events such as the Academy Awards and The Golden Globes. While the awards ceremony is taking place inside, much of the publicity and excitement takes place outside with journalists discussing what designers are being worn by which stars and photographers taking pictures.
Next time you see a film, whether it is on the comfort of your own home or in your local theatre, make it a special event by creating your own red carpet ceremony. This could be something elaborate like taking a bubble bath while reading film reviews before the movie, or simply having a cup of coffee before the movie while you contemplate what you are about to experience. Making movie-seeing a ritual ion this way can make the event more important and add a therapeutic aspect.