Film as Window and Mirror: How Cinema Shapes Empathy and Identity

In a world that often feels fragmented by difference, film offers a rare and powerful bridge: a shared screen where we can see both ourselves and each other more clearly. Cinema, at its best, functions as both window and mirror – a dual role that not only broadens our perspective but also deepens our understanding of who we are.

The Window: Seeing Beyond Ourselves

Films transport us beyond our immediate realities. They open windows into lives, landscapes, and belief systems that we might never encounter otherwise. A viewer in Lake Forest can experience the scorching heat of Doha rescuing stray cats for adoption in the U.S. in 25 Cats from Qatar, take a magical trip through classic fairy tales in Into The Woods, or witness the secret palace intrigue of the Vatican in Conclave. Through film, we witness the everyday joys and struggles of people from vastly different backgrounds, and in doing so, our capacity for empathy expands.

This global visibility is essential in combating stereotypes, fostering cross-cultural understanding, and recognizing shared humanity in unfamiliar places. It’s easy to fear or misunderstand what we’ve never seen; film breaks down those walls by inviting us to look closely, listen deeply, and feel something for someone who may live a world away.

The Mirror: Finding Ourselves in Story

At the same time, film can act as a mirror, reflecting back to us aspects of our own lives – our dreams, identities, and personal histories. For those who have long been underrepresented or misrepresented on screen, seeing oneself authentically portrayed can be profoundly validating. A young Black girl seeing herself in the fierce brilliance of The Woman King, or a queer teen resonating with the coming-of-age story in Moonlight, experiences something far more powerful than mere entertainment: they see that their story matters.

Mirrors in film affirm our sense of belonging. They help us process our emotions, connect with community, and even redefine our self-image. Sometimes we see our struggles laid bare in a character’s arc; other times we’re reminded of the joy, humor, or resilience we carry. This kind of reflection can be healing – and even transformative.

Why Both Matter

We need both windows and mirrors. Too many windows without mirrors can leave us feeling unseen in a sea of others’ stories. Too many mirrors without windows can trap us in echo chambers, closing us off to difference. Great films – and diverse filmmaking – ensure we get both: the chance to step into someone else’s shoes and the chance to feel grounded in our own skin.

As audiences, it’s our responsibility to seek out and support films that do both. As creators, it’s a calling to tell stories that are honest, inclusive, and expansive.

Because in the end, the most powerful stories are the ones that show us who we are – and who we might yet become.