On December 13, 2025, a cozy movie night was held, dedicated to critical thinking in the world of cinema. Participants embarked on a fascinating journey “behind the scenes” to understand how facts, a scientific approach, and the sociocultural context of the era influence the perception of films and help reveal the hidden meanings of the director’s vision.

The focus was on Charlie Chaplin’s legendary film *The Great Dictator*. Key scenes from the film were screened, initial audience reactions were recorded, and a discussion with an expert followed. Drawing on ideas from contemporary film studies, participants attempted to understand the director’s motives and posed an important question: can an indisputable act of humanism conceal a political agenda?

Special attention was paid to the role of contemporary film criticism—does it help deepen our understanding of cinema, or, on the contrary, does it hinder our enjoyment of it? The format of a live dialogue demonstrated how analysis and discussion expand the boundaries of perception and allow a work of art to reveal itself from a new perspective.