A Study of how the Protagonists of Films Suitable for Cinema Therapy Sessions with Students Addresses His Emotional or Psychological Issues: A Case Study of Young Orion from the Film Orion and the Dark

Abstract

The protagonists of films have a key role to play in taking forward the plots of the films. This is due to the reason that the stories of the films always revolve around them. In addition to this, the obstacles and the enemies they face play a key role in both the progression of the stories and also of their personal character arcs.
Sometimes, the character arcs of the protagonists sometimes also change throughout the films, correcting their flaws and evolving into better persons. These arcs are called as morally ascending character arcs. Such types of arcs are important for films to be chosen for cinema therapy. This is due to the reason as these types of characters who successfully manage their emotional and psychological problems, can be easily related to by the students or clients. They also play a key role in aiding in their successful recovery from emotional and psychological issues. This study will be analysing the development of the character arc of the protagonist young Orion from the film Orion and the Dark . It would also study how the change in his character arc relate to him solving his emotional and psychological issues, which are similar to those faced by the students or clients in cinema therapy. This study utilises a mixed methodology of a case study approach and the methodology of qualitative content analysis based on the 12 stages of a Hero’s Arc Journey according to Christopher Vogler. The results of the study found that the film depicted young Orion overcoming his emotional or psychological issues in a very gradual and realistic way which could be related to by the school going children watching the film for cinema therapy.