Sign up to save your podcasts
Or
Share Why Movies Make Us Cry (And Why That Matters)
Share to email
Share to Facebook
Share to X
Share to email
Share to Facebook
Share to X
Or
Why Movies Make Us Cry (And Why That Matters)
Why do we cry at movies? You're watching people who don't exist living through events that never happened—yet real tears fall. This episode explores the fascinating psychology behind movie tears and reveals what they say about how we process emotion, build empathy, and connect with others.
Join host Miguel Velazquez in conversation with filmmaker Oldren Romero, founder of the New England International Film Festival and director of the emotionally powerful short film Mami. Oldren shares insights from behind the camera about creating authentic emotional moments, why manipulation in film fails, and the delicate balance between honesty and artistry in storytelling.
We dive into the neuroscience of crying—exploring mirror neurons, emotional contagion, and the research behind Kama Muta (being moved by love). Discover why sadness tears are different from beauty tears, how film festivals create collective emotional experiences, and why movies serve as safe spaces for feelings we might otherwise suppress.
From Peter Greenaway to the immigrant experience, from creative risk-taking to the therapeutic power of cinema, this conversation reveals how stories don't just entertain us—they teach us how to feel.
Whether you're a filmmaker, film enthusiast, or simply someone who's ever cried at a movie, this episode will change how you understand the power of storytelling.
Meet Our Guest — Oldren Romero Film Director | Founder, New England Film Festival
New England Film Festival: https://www.newenglandff.com/
Submit Your Film: https://filmfreeway.com/NewEnglandFilmFestival
Festival Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/neffesrival/
Oldren's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oldrencillo/
Subscribe & Follow The Silver Frame Podcast:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheSilverFramePodcast
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesilverframepodcast/
Apple Podcasts: https://podcastsconnect.apple.com/my-podcasts/show/the-silver-frame/4578169d-2453-49d8-b56f-39c104a42d95
Chapters below:
VIDEO CHAPTERS
0:00 Why Do We Cry at Movies That Aren't Real?
1:12 Meet Filmmaker Oldren Romero
1:48 What Makes a Director Cry?
2:41 When Films Try to Manipulate Your Emotions
4:39 Creating Mami: Writing from Reality
6:04 Do Filmmakers Cry at Their Own Work?
8:43 The Peter Greenaway Lesson on Respecting Your Art
11:05 The Science Behind Movie Tears
11:14 Mirror Neurons: Your Brain on Film
17:37 Why Crying Is Contagious in Theaters
19:57 Not All Tears Are the Same
21:59 Kama Muta: Being Moved by Love
25:13 Movies as Safe Spaces to Feel
29:01 Can Films Make Us More Empathetic?
37:49 What Did Making Mami Teach You?
37:59 A Love Letter to Parents Everywhere
42:39 What Filmmakers Hope You Feel
44:32 Tackling Taboo Topics Through Cinema
46:11 Success Means Staying True to Your Vision
48:44 Next Episode Preview: Why We Love Monsters
View all episodes
By Miguel A. VelazquezWhy do we cry at movies? You're watching people who don't exist living through events that never happened—yet real tears fall. This episode explores the fascinating psychology behind movie tears and reveals what they say about how we process emotion, build empathy, and connect with others.
Join host Miguel Velazquez in conversation with filmmaker Oldren Romero, founder of the New England International Film Festival and director of the emotionally powerful short film Mami. Oldren shares insights from behind the camera about creating authentic emotional moments, why manipulation in film fails, and the delicate balance between honesty and artistry in storytelling.
We dive into the neuroscience of crying—exploring mirror neurons, emotional contagion, and the research behind Kama Muta (being moved by love). Discover why sadness tears are different from beauty tears, how film festivals create collective emotional experiences, and why movies serve as safe spaces for feelings we might otherwise suppress.
From Peter Greenaway to the immigrant experience, from creative risk-taking to the therapeutic power of cinema, this conversation reveals how stories don't just entertain us—they teach us how to feel.
Whether you're a filmmaker, film enthusiast, or simply someone who's ever cried at a movie, this episode will change how you understand the power of storytelling.
Meet Our Guest — Oldren Romero Film Director | Founder, New England Film Festival
New England Film Festival: https://www.newenglandff.com/
Submit Your Film: https://filmfreeway.com/NewEnglandFilmFestival
Festival Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/neffesrival/
Oldren's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oldrencillo/
Subscribe & Follow The Silver Frame Podcast:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheSilverFramePodcast
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesilverframepodcast/
Apple Podcasts: https://podcastsconnect.apple.com/my-podcasts/show/the-silver-frame/4578169d-2453-49d8-b56f-39c104a42d95
Chapters below:
VIDEO CHAPTERS
0:00 Why Do We Cry at Movies That Aren't Real?
1:12 Meet Filmmaker Oldren Romero
1:48 What Makes a Director Cry?
2:41 When Films Try to Manipulate Your Emotions
4:39 Creating Mami: Writing from Reality
6:04 Do Filmmakers Cry at Their Own Work?
8:43 The Peter Greenaway Lesson on Respecting Your Art
11:05 The Science Behind Movie Tears
11:14 Mirror Neurons: Your Brain on Film
17:37 Why Crying Is Contagious in Theaters
19:57 Not All Tears Are the Same
21:59 Kama Muta: Being Moved by Love
25:13 Movies as Safe Spaces to Feel
29:01 Can Films Make Us More Empathetic?
37:49 What Did Making Mami Teach You?
37:59 A Love Letter to Parents Everywhere
42:39 What Filmmakers Hope You Feel
44:32 Tackling Taboo Topics Through Cinema
46:11 Success Means Staying True to Your Vision
48:44 Next Episode Preview: Why We Love Monsters