Absolute Cinema: Meaning, Origin, and Viral Meme
If you scroll often TikTok, Twitter (X), or Reddit, you must have seen the comment “Absolute Cinema” under a certain movie clip or dramatic scene. But, what does this meme actually mean? And why did it go so viral?
Come on, let's discuss the absolute cinema meme in a light but informative way, from its origins to why netizens make it a joke that never gets old.
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What is Absolute Cinema?
In terms of meaning, “absolute cinema” can be interpreted as the purest or truest form of cinema. This term refers to a film that emphasizes its visual power in its entirety, where the pictorial elements can narrate well.
Because netizens have high creativity, now this comment is more often used as a joke.
Usually in response to movie scenes that are absurd, overdramatic, or even cringe. Ironically, moments like that actually make people laugh and go viral.
The Origins of the Absolute Cinema Meme
Before becoming a joke among netizens, the phrase “absolute cinema” actually has serious roots. The term was once used by critics and veteran directors to describe moments in a film that were purely cinematic, not requiring much dialogue, just visuals and emotions to speak for themselves.
Think of the slow-motion scenes in Stanley Kubrick’s films or the visual intensity in Andrei Tarkovsky’s works, that’s the OG version of “absolute cinema.”
But, like many sacred things, the internet came along and went viral. Around 2021, netizens began labeling absurd, exaggerated, or even hilarious scenes with “absolut cinema,” a kind of sarcastic compliment that makes you laugh out loud.
For example, local soap opera clips with god-level dramatic acting, or video clips TikTok someone falling out of a chair dramatically while accompanied by Hans Zimmer's music, immediately commented with, "This is absolute cinema."
That irony is what makes this meme spread so quickly: the more absurd the moment, the more “cinematic” its value in the eyes of netizens.
From Reddit forums to Twitter/X to TikTok comment sections, memes have become a powerful tool to celebrate, or mock, all forms of visual expression.
And so, this meme went from being an intellectual compliment to an internet punchline that never fails to make you smile.
Where Does Absolute Cinema Come From?
This meme actually has a pretty unique origin! Initially, this term was not just written randomly, but was born from a combination of high art and internet humor.
The origin of this meme can be traced to a black and white image featuring legendary director Martin Scorsese, the man who made The Irishman and Goodfellas.
In the picture, Scorsese is seen raising both of his hands high, as if admiring something extraordinary. The pose was then used by netizens as a symbol of expressing admiration, usually for epic or even very absurd things.
Well, over time, the image was modified. Then many netizens edited it themselves, replacing Scorsese, then giving the words "Absolut Cinema" on top. This visual is used to satirize or praise film scenes that are considered too dramatic for the real world.
Imagine: someone falls off a chair playing a horror game, then someone posts an “Absolute Cinema” meme with Martin Scorsese’s expression. AI on top of it. It's ridiculous, but that's the internet, the more absurd it is, the more viral it is.
This meme is not just a compliment to a great movie. In the internet era, this term has evolved into a joke that unites generations of meme-loving netizens. Sometimes serious, sometimes sarcastic, but always relevant.
So, next time you see a soap opera scene with minimal CGI effects or an indie film that is very aesthetic, don't hesitate to type in the comments column of Absolute Cinema.
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Because, sometimes the most absurd things feel the most cinematic.
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