Changing Trends in World Cinema

           July 7 marks the birth of Indian cinema, The Lumiere Brothers the most well-known cinematographers from Paris showcased six films in Mumbai. It was the cornerstone for Indian cinema, as we know the changed format of it today. Indian people were not aware of film making, eventually got inspired by these two personalities.  Aashay film club of Pune had organised the lecture of Mr. Ganesh Matkari (film critic) on ‘Changing trends in world cinema.’ It was a coincidence, they achieved on 7 July 2016 at National Film Archive of India.

Mr. Matkari started his lecture with major elaboration of Lumiere Brothers and George Millers films and showed those six films; ‘Arrival of a train, Leaving the factory, the sea Bath and A Demolition’ of the Lumiere Brothers. One and half – two minutes films grabbed the attention of audience towards motion picture which is first step of film making. The Lumiere Brothers films are basically documentation where he shot the real life moments. In one of their films, they portrayed very simple concept rather incident of having lunch with little girl, Whereas George Melies shot movies based on storytelling.

National Film Archive of India

Province of world cinema and its incidence often boggle the mind. According to Americans, The Cinema apart from English language is world cinema, whereas Indians assume Hollywood cinema is world cinema. Hollywood cinema is a part of World cinema. World cinema comprises every movie. For Indians, Hollywood movies, Iran movies, Chinese movies, Japanese movies are included in world cinema category, whereas for Americans it is apart from English, for Chinese people it is apart from their own cinema.

After the end of World War 2, audiences showed interest in crime and adult movies eventually, Film makers grabbed the opportunity and various movies related to those areas of interest were released. That gave birth to a new movement of film making called as Film Noir. Those film were shot in black and white to show the tangled nature of the subject. The locution intrinsically used by French critics for Crime thriller Movies. ‘ The strange Loves of Martha, The Hitch-Hiker, Pickup on South Street, Odd man out,  Nightmare Alley, Murder My sweet and Crime wave etc. are included in Film Noir Category.

American Artist Andy Warhol was a famous person in an artistic field. His ‘Blue’ movie faced many controversies before release. It was an adult movie and after much criticism, name had been changed to Blue. Maya Deren and Alexander Hammid’s ‘Meshes of the afternoon’ was significant because of its cultural, aesthetic and historical values. Before sunrise, Before Sunset and Before Midnight are included in Richard Linklater series of love and emotional drama films. First movie of this series released in 1995, followed by romantic drama film Before Sunset released in 2004 further, in 2013 Before Midnight was released.

               It’s a new experiment and absorbing thing is that, all the three movies starred Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy. Transformation in face cut, expressions, body language of the characters, every aspect is remarkable.

Neo realism is a combination of fiction and documentary. Films were shot with scarcity in equipment’s and studio. Naturalness, truth and authenticity are the characteristics of Neorealism. It’s a distinct genre, portrayed social and historical reality by practicing documentary style cinematography. ‘Ossessione, Toni ,Bicycle Thieves, Paisa, Lowly city, Drunken Angel, Tokyo story ,Death of cyclist, Salaam Bombay, American me, Satya, Rosetta’ etc., were embodied in Neorealism.

Jump cut was the unique editing style applied by French new wave. It is the explosion of innovations, distinct ideas, realistic concepts, factual stories. The term new wave was coined by critics for a bunch of a French directors or film makers. The directors of French new wave often created jump cut while editing to give it realistic matrix. They replaced the studio light with natural light and decided to shoot on real location instead of well-equipped studio. They recorded natural sound and did not apply any correction methodology. After the end of World War II, An economic condition of France was weak and lack of money was available to invest in films. Hence, Directors of the movie decided to shoot on real locations, homes and apartments rather, preferred friends and relatives as a cast. ‘ Breathless, Shoot the piano player, Lola,  Adieu Philippine, Cleo from 5 to 7, Le Mepris,  Claire’s Knee etc.’ are included in French New wave’s films.

             

             Similar to French new wave, Iranian new wave was also a novel trend began in the world cinema. Reason behind it was a queer progress in social, political and cultural fields. Characteristics of Iranian new wave were ‘non-realistic characters, modern effects, narrative experimentation and intellectual and political influence.’ ‘The Cow, Qaysar and Calm in front of others’ those three films enriched a quaint character of cultural cinema. It fostered the expectations of viewers because they got bored of FILMFARSI (vulgar movies).

American Independent cinema is apart from Hollywood cinema and their studios. The films have been produced, distributed and released independently. Unique vision of artist and low budget are distinct features of it. Films have been showcased in film festivals. ‘Mean Streets, Reservoir Dogs, The Terminator, Blood Simple, Slacker, Drugstore Cowboy, Blue Velvet, Short Cuts, Runway train, etc.’ are included in this category.

There is need to understand the evolution and changing trends in world cinema. Cinema is a virtual world albeit, it’s a reflection of a real world. It has been evolved with respect to social and political movements. It portrays the emotions, shades, situations, mentality, reality and every minute shred of society. No doubt it’s a tool of entertainment nevertheless, it presents past and present time along with a gleam of future.