She refers to a phenomenon of moviegoing which I have called certification. Nowadays when a person lives somewhere, in a neighborhood, the place is not certified for him. More than likely he will live there sadly and the emptiness which is inside him will expand until it evacuates the entire neighborhood. But if he sees a movie which shows his very neighborhood, it becomes possible for him to live, for a time at least, as a person who is Somewhere and not Anywhere.
In Walker Percy’s "The Moviegoer," he describes a concept he calls "certification," which pertains to the existential experience of individuals in their living environments. He suggests that many people feel disconnected from their neighborhoods, resulting in a pervasive sense of emptiness. This lack of connection can diminish their sense of belonging, as they feel they are living in a place that lacks significance or authenticity.
However, Percy argues that watching a film set in one’s own neighborhood can alter this experience. Through the medium of film, individuals may find a sense of validation and identity, feeling like they are truly part of their surroundings. This connection brought about by cinema allows individuals to experience their lives as being rooted in a specific time and place, transforming their perspective from feeling lost to feeling grounded.
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