Introduction

The history of film is full of movements that have shaped the industry, from the German Expressionist films of the 1920s to the French New Wave of the 1950s and 60s, to the more recent blockbusters of the modern era. Each movement has had its own impact on the development of film and the way it is seen today. This blog will provide an overview of the major film movements, their impact, and the films that best exemplify them.

German Expressionism

German Expressionism was a movement that began in the early 1920s, and was heavily influenced by German Romanticism. It was characterized by a highly stylized form of filmmaking, with distorted sets and exaggerated acting. It was often used to comment on social and political issues, and often had a dark, brooding atmosphere. The films of this movement are often credited as laying the groundwork for many of the horror films of later years.

One of the most notable films of the German Expressionism movement is The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari, directed by Robert Weine in 1920. This movie tells the story of a mad doctor who uses a sleepwalker to commit a series of murders. The film is known for its highly stylized sets and dream-like atmosphere. It was a critical and commercial success, and is seen as a seminal work in the horror genre.

French New Wave

The French New Wave was a movement that began in the late 1950s and early 1960s, and was characterized by a more experimental form of filmmaking. The directors of this movement sought to break away from traditional cinematic conventions, and often employed techniques such as jump cuts and direct address. They also sought to tell stories from the perspective of everyday people, and to portray them as real and flawed characters.

One of the most important films of this era was Jean-Luc Godard's Breathless, released in 1960. This movie tells the story of a young criminal on the run from the police. It is known for its innovative use of jump cuts and its realistic portrayal of characters. It was a critical and commercial success, and is seen as a seminal work in the French New Wave.

Italian Neo-realism

Italian Neo-realism was a movement that began in the mid 1940s and was heavily influenced by Italian neorealism, a cultural and artistic movement that sought to portray everyday life in a realistic way. The films of this movement were characterized by their focus on the everyday lives of ordinary people, and often dealt with social issues such as poverty and injustice.

One of the most famous films of this era is Vittorio De Sica’s Bicycle Thieves, released in 1948. This movie follows an unemployed man who has his bicycle stolen, and must then search the streets of Rome trying to find it. It is known for its realistic portrayal of the lives of everyday people, and was a critical and commercial success.

British New Wave

The British New Wave was a movement that began in the late 1950s and early 1960s, and was characterized by a more realistic form of filmmaking. The directors of this movement sought to tell stories from the perspective of everyday people, and often dealt with social issues such as class and gender. They also sought to portray their characters as flawed and human, and to explore the complexities of life.

One of the most important films of this era was Tony Richardson’s Look Back in Anger, released in 1959. This movie tells the story of a working-class man and his struggles in an oppressive society. It is known for its realistic portrayal of characters, and its exploration of the complexity of relationships. It was a critical and commercial success, and is seen as a seminal work in the British New Wave.

Conclusion

The history of film is full of movements that have shaped the industry, and the films that best exemplify them. From the German Expressionism of the 1920s to the French New Wave of the 1950s and 60s, to the more recent blockbusters of the modern era, each movement has had its own impact on the development of film. This blog has provided an overview of the major film movements and their impact, and explored some of the films that best exemplify them.