Time is one of cinema’s most fundamental elements. While all films exist within time, only some filmmakers consciously shape and explore its rhythm, duration and flow. When handled with care, cinematic time can create space for contemplation and spiritual depth. This course investigates how time functions in film and how it can transform the viewer’s spiritual and philosophical experience. Through guided screenings and discussions, students will learn to notice how elements such as pacing, silence, repetition and long takes shape the meaning of a film. No prior knowledge of film studies or filmmaking is required, only curiosity and a willingness to watch carefully. The course will focus on the works of filmmakers such as Yasujirō Ozu, Andrei Tarkovsky, G. Aravindan and Majid Majidi whose films are often considered masterclasses in slow and contemplative cinema. By studying their work, students will learn how cinema can become a deeply meditative and artistic experience.
