filminiin

Filminiin is a term in film theory describing a perceptual phenomenon by which a viewer experiences a secondary, internal narrative layer generated by the film's montage, sound, and mise-en-scène, interacting with personal memory and cultural context.

The concept emphasizes perceptual involvement rather than a discrete on-screen event. It treats subtext and motif as catalysts for an 'inner film' that runs concurrently with the explicit story. The term has appeared in online criticism and scholarly writing since the 2010s as a way to discuss viewer-generated meaning.

Mechanisms include non-linear editing that juxtaposes images with emotionally resonant motifs, leitmotifs, counterpoint sound design, and diegetic noises that evoke imagined scenes. These techniques can encourage viewers to fill gaps with personal associations, producing a layered interpretive experience beyond the explicit narrative.

Relationship to other concepts: distinguishes from subtext, which is often seen as implicit meaning within dialogue or imagery; from diegetic cinema, where all elements are part of the film world; and it relates to broader discussions in viewer response and cognitive film theory about how perception and memory shape interpretation.

Criticism: some scholars argue filminiin is subjective and defies empirical study; others see it as a useful shorthand to discuss viewer engagement and the productive tension between what is shown and what the viewer projects.

See also: subtext, mise-en-scène, montage, cognitive film theory.