A Study on the Coupling of Cinematic Emotional Narratives and Social Psychology: Makoto Shinkai’s Animated Film Suzume

Abstract

The examination of the interaction between cinema and its audience represents a significant area of inquiry in contemporary film theory. In recent years, there has been a shift from a “creator-centered” to an “audience-centered” approach to film narrative. Makoto Shinkai’s Suzume is a notable addition to his “Disaster Trilogy,” acclaimed for its ability to engender emotional experiences within its viewers. The film’s narrative mechanisms, meaning construction, and narrative strategies are pivotal aspects that highlight the relationship between emotional storytelling and cinema. By exploring the coupling between the narrative mechanisms and the audience’s “social psychology”, this study aims to offer insights into how cinema can inspire emotional identity, thus providing a fresh perspective on improving the emotional storytelling efficiency of domestic animated films and enhancing the efficacy of international communication. The findings of this study have the potential to enrich our understanding of the complex ways in which cinema can connect with its audience, whilst also advancing our comprehension of how emotional narratives can be harnessed to enhance the effectiveness of visual storytelling.