By Emily Larman
The first time I had a conversation with Mr. Pimentel, we discussed the proliferation of Hans Zimmer in cinema and the complexity of metaphorical themes in Christopher Nolan films. Over the past year, I’ve gotten to further know Mr. Pimentel as a teacher and realized that I had much to learn, his extensive knowledge and probing intellectualism driving me to question convictions I’ve held my whole life. When I asked him to do this interview, he responded by saying he thought it was funny that he was being considered an artist in a conventional sense of the word. He aligns more with the art of film criticism, and while not art in the traditional sense of the word, it offers a new perspective on how to broach creative pursuits. I could not agree more. The art of cinema and the critical analysis of media in general, is a blossoming art in itself, one that often goes unnoticed. Mr. Pimentel’s focus on media studies is emblematic of the emergence of an art form and field of study that will become an important part of scholarly pursuit.
For those of you who don’t know Mr. Pimentel, he is an English and (newly created) Media Studies teacher at Collingwood. Knee-deep in his sophomoric year, he has introduced a realm of projects and enterprising ventures such as spearheading the Ad Verum newspaper, participating heavily in the Grade 11 film unit in English, and starting his very own Media Studies class, all of which I’ve been a part of. He explained to me how he initially wasn’t even interested in English class as a high school student, something you wouldn’t expect from someone who has dedicated his profession to the craft. It took a blank, white covered J.D. Salinger novel to peak his conceptual curiosity, discovering “The Catcher in the Rye” during a journalism club meeting one day. After checking out the book that same day, he finished the book within three days, a feat he says was rare for who he was at that time in his life. Identifying heavily with the protagonist of Holden, it was the first time he made the connection between film and literature, realizing that he could see it play out in his head as he read. This sparked a devout fervor for film that has continued throughout his life. He eventually took a media arts class, discovering the tangibility of creating film. He cites, from then on, carrying around a portable video camera everywhere he went, always creating. This carried over into university and he even participated in a number of short films with friends. “In Grade 12 I decided that I wanted to go into film in the future. I wanted to either become a director, writer, actor or all three. I began to love storytelling and writing, and of course, viewing and discussing films. The key part was the discussing.”
His immense passion for film has not subsided and in fact, he says his propensity to discuss films to death, is still a regular occurrence between he and his friends today. When asked what it is about film in particular that intrigues him, he thoughtfully replies by saying that he appreciates the many layers that they compose, much like a good novel, able to be peeled back and dissected to the minute detail. He likes that films make us not only think hard but also feel strongly. “But if I were to be really honest, I enjoy films not because they entertain or stimulate my senses, but rather, because they speak truths that resonate within all of us.” In a profound moment of candid honesty he also reveals. “I also really love looking for the common truth or theme of transcendence in films: the idea of moving beyond the here and now, or at the very least, transcendence from the self, and moving outward from the self. And if I am going to be extremely open and honest, I love looking for God in the details. I think films are better when they explore (even sometimes unintentionally) some aspect of spirituality or religion.”
The first time I had a conversation with Mr. Pimentel, we discussed the proliferation of Hans Zimmer in cinema and the complexity of metaphorical themes in Christopher Nolan films. Over the past year, I’ve gotten to further know Mr. Pimentel as a teacher and realized that I had much to learn, his extensive knowledge and probing intellectualism driving me to question convictions I’ve held my whole life. When I asked him to do this interview, he responded by saying he thought it was funny that he was being considered an artist in a conventional sense of the word. He aligns more with the art of film criticism, and while not art in the traditional sense of the word, it offers a new perspective on how to broach creative pursuits. I could not agree more. The art of cinema and the critical analysis of media in general, is a blossoming art in itself, one that often goes unnoticed. Mr. Pimentel’s focus on media studies is emblematic of the emergence of an art form and field of study that will become an important part of scholarly pursuit.
For those of you who don’t know Mr. Pimentel, he is an English and (newly created) Media Studies teacher at Collingwood. Knee-deep in his sophomoric year, he has introduced a realm of projects and enterprising ventures such as spearheading the Ad Verum newspaper, participating heavily in the Grade 11 film unit in English, and starting his very own Media Studies class, all of which I’ve been a part of. He explained to me how he initially wasn’t even interested in English class as a high school student, something you wouldn’t expect from someone who has dedicated his profession to the craft. It took a blank, white covered J.D. Salinger novel to peak his conceptual curiosity, discovering “The Catcher in the Rye” during a journalism club meeting one day. After checking out the book that same day, he finished the book within three days, a feat he says was rare for who he was at that time in his life. Identifying heavily with the protagonist of Holden, it was the first time he made the connection between film and literature, realizing that he could see it play out in his head as he read. This sparked a devout fervor for film that has continued throughout his life. He eventually took a media arts class, discovering the tangibility of creating film. He cites, from then on, carrying around a portable video camera everywhere he went, always creating. This carried over into university and he even participated in a number of short films with friends. “In Grade 12 I decided that I wanted to go into film in the future. I wanted to either become a director, writer, actor or all three. I began to love storytelling and writing, and of course, viewing and discussing films. The key part was the discussing.”
His immense passion for film has not subsided and in fact, he says his propensity to discuss films to death, is still a regular occurrence between he and his friends today. When asked what it is about film in particular that intrigues him, he thoughtfully replies by saying that he appreciates the many layers that they compose, much like a good novel, able to be peeled back and dissected to the minute detail. He likes that films make us not only think hard but also feel strongly. “But if I were to be really honest, I enjoy films not because they entertain or stimulate my senses, but rather, because they speak truths that resonate within all of us.” In a profound moment of candid honesty he also reveals. “I also really love looking for the common truth or theme of transcendence in films: the idea of moving beyond the here and now, or at the very least, transcendence from the self, and moving outward from the self. And if I am going to be extremely open and honest, I love looking for God in the details. I think films are better when they explore (even sometimes unintentionally) some aspect of spirituality or religion.”
He particularly likes exploring the fundamental questions of what it means to be human, what defines humanity as a whole.
As any avid film connoisseur will relate, when asked to list his favourite films, Mr. Pimentel struggles with composing a condensed list. He begins with the classics of Pulp Fiction and Ferris Bueller’s Day Off , rounded out by newer films, The Social Network, and There Will Be Blood, as well as The Tree of Life. He explains, “Pulp Fiction because it's one of the films that made me more interested in film as an art/literature, and filmmaking! It's so layered and anyone, no matter the background or understanding of film, can appreciate it on some level. On the surface it's a dark comedy about gangsters; on a deeper level it's a mystical film about transcendence.” He also appreciates the ambition and insecurity reflective in The Social Network: “The film is a powerful zeitgeist film, one of those ONCE in a generation type movies.” The Tree of Life is directed by one of his favourite directors, Terrence Malik, who
“... created what I would call poetry on film.” He appreciates it for its exploration of philosophical issues such as “Why do we suffer?” Lastly, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off breeds nostalgia for him, representing the film he would watch over and over again as a child. “I think there's a lot more than meets the eye in this seemingly shallow teen flick of the 80's. I think it's more than just about three friends skipping school to have fun in the city; it's about the power of the imagination.”
Film resonates with Mr. Pimentel so deeply because to him, it represents a modicum to which we can express narrative ideas that reflect our metaphysical notions in society.
“Storytelling is so important. And that's what films are. It's our popular medium of storytelling. Storytelling is a huge part of what makes us human. Storytelling is a huge part of how we have survived and evolved, and it informs how we understand the world and ourselves.”
As any avid film connoisseur will relate, when asked to list his favourite films, Mr. Pimentel struggles with composing a condensed list. He begins with the classics of Pulp Fiction and Ferris Bueller’s Day Off , rounded out by newer films, The Social Network, and There Will Be Blood, as well as The Tree of Life. He explains, “Pulp Fiction because it's one of the films that made me more interested in film as an art/literature, and filmmaking! It's so layered and anyone, no matter the background or understanding of film, can appreciate it on some level. On the surface it's a dark comedy about gangsters; on a deeper level it's a mystical film about transcendence.” He also appreciates the ambition and insecurity reflective in The Social Network: “The film is a powerful zeitgeist film, one of those ONCE in a generation type movies.” The Tree of Life is directed by one of his favourite directors, Terrence Malik, who
“... created what I would call poetry on film.” He appreciates it for its exploration of philosophical issues such as “Why do we suffer?” Lastly, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off breeds nostalgia for him, representing the film he would watch over and over again as a child. “I think there's a lot more than meets the eye in this seemingly shallow teen flick of the 80's. I think it's more than just about three friends skipping school to have fun in the city; it's about the power of the imagination.”
Film resonates with Mr. Pimentel so deeply because to him, it represents a modicum to which we can express narrative ideas that reflect our metaphysical notions in society.
“Storytelling is so important. And that's what films are. It's our popular medium of storytelling. Storytelling is a huge part of what makes us human. Storytelling is a huge part of how we have survived and evolved, and it informs how we understand the world and ourselves.”
Mr. Pimentel’s aspirations for the future include a dream of one day writing for a publication to review entertainment, in particular that of culture, film, etc. As of now, he has created his own blog, dubbed Apple Tree 101, which one of his friends encouraged him to create. “He said, you're really passionate about film. Start a blog about it. It will help you as a teacher because you'll learn newer ways of explaining things to people. And so I did.” The blog is comprised of musings and complex analyses of films such as Interstellar and recently, Sicario. A link is posted below.
Mr. Pimentel likes the idea of one day returning to school, getting a Masters degree and maybe even a PhD, and even teaching at a university one day. Last year, he helped to start Ad Verum with the hope of promoting the same sense of community and enthusiasm fostered when he participated in a similar venture in high school. The paper has gone on to become a successful facet of Collingwood culture. Perhaps his largest contribution to the Collingwood community, however, has been piloting a Media Studies class. “I thought it would be great to have an entire year dedicated to studying visual and media literacy. The course explores a variety of visual media, from advertising to social media, news media and film. My intention is to empower the students to think critically, creatively and passionately about the several popular media surrounding them on a day to day basis. I want to help them develop the skills to analyze, interpret, synthesize, evaluate, create, etc. and in doing so learn more about themselves and the world around them.”
As a member of this class, I can attest firsthand that it the most thought-provoking and beneficial class I’ve taken in my high school career. Mr. Pimentel considers the studying of media, similar to that of an English class, as an art. “I think people often and justifiably assume that an artist is someone that creates something whether it be a painting, a TV show, a film, a novel, a song, etc. But I think more has to be said about the culture critic and that being a critic of culture is being an artist.”
There is no doubt that Mr. Pimentel has found one of his passions in life. The connection that he has discovered between cinema and the natural world as interpreted through a critical lens has enhanced the way in which he, as well as we, look at cinema. In his words, “I think novelists and filmmakers don't tell us what their intention behind their novels and films are because they want to leave room for interpretation. And the people who make those interpretations, essentially are giving MORE meaning to these art pieces, and thus adding to the art, or uncovering it, and thus, being an artist as well.”
Blog link:
https://appletree101.wordpress.com
Short films Mr. Pimentel has been a part of:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5KXsj-ABFRc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-xQUxSFDTpo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jm6Ecm3JeGc
Mr. Pimentel likes the idea of one day returning to school, getting a Masters degree and maybe even a PhD, and even teaching at a university one day. Last year, he helped to start Ad Verum with the hope of promoting the same sense of community and enthusiasm fostered when he participated in a similar venture in high school. The paper has gone on to become a successful facet of Collingwood culture. Perhaps his largest contribution to the Collingwood community, however, has been piloting a Media Studies class. “I thought it would be great to have an entire year dedicated to studying visual and media literacy. The course explores a variety of visual media, from advertising to social media, news media and film. My intention is to empower the students to think critically, creatively and passionately about the several popular media surrounding them on a day to day basis. I want to help them develop the skills to analyze, interpret, synthesize, evaluate, create, etc. and in doing so learn more about themselves and the world around them.”
As a member of this class, I can attest firsthand that it the most thought-provoking and beneficial class I’ve taken in my high school career. Mr. Pimentel considers the studying of media, similar to that of an English class, as an art. “I think people often and justifiably assume that an artist is someone that creates something whether it be a painting, a TV show, a film, a novel, a song, etc. But I think more has to be said about the culture critic and that being a critic of culture is being an artist.”
There is no doubt that Mr. Pimentel has found one of his passions in life. The connection that he has discovered between cinema and the natural world as interpreted through a critical lens has enhanced the way in which he, as well as we, look at cinema. In his words, “I think novelists and filmmakers don't tell us what their intention behind their novels and films are because they want to leave room for interpretation. And the people who make those interpretations, essentially are giving MORE meaning to these art pieces, and thus adding to the art, or uncovering it, and thus, being an artist as well.”
Blog link:
https://appletree101.wordpress.com
Short films Mr. Pimentel has been a part of:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5KXsj-ABFRc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-xQUxSFDTpo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jm6Ecm3JeGc
