It is an answer, a reaction to the current format and the current trend that seems to be the industry standard, where music magazines can’t wait to grade albums by a numerical scale. Either with stars, numbers, or their own symbols, but all with the purpose of conveying how the art has performed in their limit-driven grading system.

Art is and should not to be graded in this way. One wouldn’t rate a painting 7/10 would they? The same is true for music, movies, and whatever art that moves our soul and touches our hearts. None of this should be reduced to mere numbers, and none of these methods should be our way to pay tribute to the artists that open themselves up and let themselves be scrutinised and judged by the masses that consume and indulge in their creations. The sacrifice they make should be applauded, not made harder.

Because who are we to put a value on someone else’s art?

Our experience and reaction to the art (our taste) is based on our experiences as humans. No person has the same background or experiences, and therefore no person has the same taste. But if we listen, and we let people show passionately what has moved us, what we think is a genius and earth shattering piece of art that has to be personally experienced and felt, then what is the need of giving something 4/5 stars in your review?

Of course we should be able to criticise and discuss what emotions the individual pieces invoke in us, but who does it help to confine the art to grading (other than the ego)?

Let’s take the French documentary “La panthère des neiges” by Vincent Munier and Marie Amiguet as an example:

It has been graded an 7.8/10 on IMDB (as of 25. February 2023), but for us it is a true masterpiece. It is simply put, the best movie we have ever seen. It deserves no grade, it deserves no reduction in it’s merits, it is exactly what it’s meant to be: itself. A number can’t possibly explain the value of this cinematic journey, and we abhor any attempt in justifying this method.

So let us tell you how we experienced it, let us tell you why we love it. Let our fire inspire you, and our arguments persuade you. Let our ode’s shine through the hate, and change the culture that not only allow, but does nothing against art being judged superficially.

Let us review it, and tell you why you also should love what you see before you. Because that is what Numberless Reviews and Aposteriori Archive is all about.