Meaning: Dario Argento, an Italian film director known for his work in the horror genre, once made a profound statement about the experience of watching his own films. The quote, "When I see a film I've finished, it's like another person made it. Like another mind," offers insight into the complex and often mysterious process of creating art, particularly in the realm of filmmaking.

Argento's words reflect the common sentiment among artists that their work takes on a life of its own once it is completed and released into the world. The act of creation can be a deeply personal and immersive experience, yet the finished product often feels detached from the creator. This sense of detachment can be attributed to the transformative journey that a piece of art undergoes from its inception to its final form. As it evolves, it becomes imbued with the perspectives, emotions, and interpretations of not only the artist but also the collaborators and audience members who engage with it.

In the context of filmmaking, this sentiment takes on a particularly intriguing dimension. A film is the result of the collective efforts of a multitude of individuals, including writers, directors, actors, cinematographers, editors, and many more. Each person involved brings their own unique vision and expertise to the project, contributing to the creation of a multi-layered and dynamic work of art. As a result, the finished film may contain elements and nuances that were not originally conceived by the director alone, leading to the sensation that "another person made it."

Furthermore, the process of filmmaking often involves a significant degree of collaboration and compromise. Creative decisions are shaped by the input and feedback of various stakeholders, from producers and studio executives to the creative team itself. This collaborative nature of filmmaking can further contribute to the feeling of detachment that Argento describes, as the final product may differ from the director's initial vision in ways both subtle and substantial.

Argento's statement also speaks to the enigmatic nature of artistic inspiration and the subconscious mind. Creativity is a deeply intuitive and elusive process, and artists often find themselves surprised by the ways in which their ideas manifest and evolve. The act of bringing a film to fruition can be a deeply immersive and all-encompassing endeavor, during which the boundaries between the artist's conscious intentions and the subconscious influences become blurred. As a result, the finished film may indeed feel like the product of "another mind," one that operates beyond the realm of rational thought and deliberate action.

In addition to the collaborative and subconscious elements of filmmaking, the experience of watching a completed film can also elicit unexpected emotions and responses from the director. Seeing the finished product on the screen, with all of its visual, auditory, and narrative elements coming together, can be a profoundly affecting experience. The juxtaposition of the director's memories of the creative process and the tangible reality of the film itself can create a sense of disconnection, as if the work has taken on a life of its own, separate from the director's own perspective.

Ultimately, Dario Argento's quote encapsulates the multifaceted and complex nature of the artistic process, particularly within the context of filmmaking. It serves as a reminder that the act of creation is a deeply transformative and unpredictable journey, and that the finished work often carries traces of multiple influences and perspectives. The quote invites us to consider the enigmatic relationship between the artist and their creation, and the ways in which art takes on a life of its own, independent of its creator.