I love film. It is a pure joy for me to watch beautiful cinema. Every year my love affair with film has grown stronger and deeper. It teaches me about the world. It teaches me about people. It teaches me about myself. I have always believed film has the power to show us worlds we could never imagine. Of course this includes the make-believe of fantasy and science fiction, but it also includes other countries and cultures we have never experienced.

Before film, the only way to understand these far reaches of the world was to go there and live among the people and experience the culture firsthand. But through film, we can hear voices from around the world, expressing views and feelings on universal issues with a different perspective. To travel the world and experience all its beauty and sadness, its hope and suffering is divine; but for most of us it is not that easy. However, we are now living in an age of unprecedented access, and there are other ways to experience the beauty and sadness, the hope and suffering of the world. And I know of no other way more powerful than film.

It may be a bit lofty, but that is my goal, to share the world with you through film. I have had the great fortune to travel around the world and experience many places myself. However, my introduction to the wider world beyond my rural hometown in Maryland was film. Watching the cinema of the world is what opened my eyes and expanded my horizons, and it was the first thing that planted the seed of desire to travel and explore the world. I’m excited to go back to where it all started for me, the classics of world cinema, and share my perspective with you. I hope to introduce you to films you don’t know, and I hope to spark discussion and debate on issues that matter. Welcome to Films With Meaning!