Since the invention of film, movies have evolved rapidly through technological advances as well as changes in society. Focusing on the time period of 1965 to present, I think the trend of filmography evolving dramatically continued. Half a decade ago it seemed as if film was more closely associated as motion pictures. Art was at the core of film and as society changed so did the motivations behind making films. Currently, movies are judged by their revenue and box office-success, but this does not mean unconventional films are a thing of the past. With telecommunications and WiFi, the industry has evolved as a whole and targets different audiences now than it used to. This results in the modernization of film-making and there are instances that evidence this economic enterprise. Technological advancements are just one part of it. As viewership grows, and the public has easier access towards viewing films, a sly undertone of bias from the director can influence the film. Movies leave an impression, and if the director wants to put a thought in their viewer’s mind, all they have to do is form the film to instill the perspective they wish to share. This affects society where if enough people ultimately are influenced, political action can be taken. For example, films can be used to perpetuate the belief of equal rights, using interracial relationships in the film to encourage open-mindedness. All these factors contribute to the tool belt directors are equipped with when creating their pieces of art.

Wild Strawberries is a film that was produced in 1957 by a Swedish director named Ingmar Bergman. This movie is slow paced and provokes thought like a true piece of art. A Woman Under The Influence was produced in 1974 and has a bit more relatable of a plot, while utilizing hidden themes to relay a deeper message. John Casavettes was the writer and director and his talent resulted in a film that leaves a lasting impression with the viewers. Blazing Saddles, conversely, provokes little thought and much laughter. Mel Brooks directed this movie in 1974 as well and used a very different style to create an impression with the viewer. Mel Brooks also used a very different budget size, resulting in a much more appealing film, no more impressionable, however. Lastly, Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon, produced by Ang Lee in 2000, is a masterful work of art that ties together the conception of film being modernized, while maintaining a connection to art. This film had a combination of mainstream and indie attributes, creating a new type of film that inspired many. In analyzing these 4 films I will demonstrate how I believe that the history of film from 1965 to present changed from an artistic perspective with cultural roots to a pursuit of economic reward, while utilizing art as the product.

 

In the 1957 Wild Strawberries, Bergman uses his notorious themes of existentialism and somber to provide his viewers with an experience. Bergman created a setting of reflection, something that was not openly encouraged of the time. In the 50’s things were very cookie cutter, and for a man to question his rolls in life was somewhat of an unusual conversation. However, we see here in the poster that Bergman is confronting solidarity and reflection head on. This really created an impact on the audience of the time, because the raw nature and emotion depicted by a man was counter to the masculinity complex before the equal rights movement. In this review written by Derek Malcolm about Bergman and Wild Strawberries, Malcolm describes Bergman’s ability to use expressionism and Freudianism engages emotions in a manner more notable than just by technique. Bergman uses the role of a male antagonist as well as the delicate portrayal of his feelings to juxtapose each other. This contrast highlights the poetic feeling that the protagonist puts off. Furthermore, the protagonist is a crotchety man who only initiates self-reflection because his daughter-in-law truthfully told him how his son regards him. This raw emotion lasts the duration of their trip and for the film. Malcolm also describes the Swedish countryside backdrop as creating a natural world the characters seemingly pass through. This subconscious, natural setting is the perfect artistic background for someone who is reflecting on life, as seen in the original movie poster. This movie was unconventional and not mainstream. It had a low budget and did not cater to the need of appealing to the masses. This freedom of expression allowed Bergman to create a masterpiece that is remembered to this day.

As time progressed, so did technology, society, and cultures. A Woman Under the Influence, written and directed by John Casavettes, portrays the day to day of an American family, exposing the not so pleasant mannerisms that many people relate to. This film is full of compelling scenes, fights and honest emotions are aired as the mother in law harps in. Feelings of pity and empathy are caused by the moving performances of the main characters. Nora Sayre wrote an article for the New York Times that mentions Casavettes prompted serious discussions. His film used domestic abuse as well as mental disabilities to portray his artistic message to his viewers. Similar to Bergman, Casavettes used societal taboos to hook his audience and gain their interest. While this movie was unconventional, it resonated with much of America thanks to the equal rights movement. Being released in 1974, witnessing domestic abuse and the belittling of mental disorders did not go over satirically. It represented everything America was getting away from and this shed some perspective in people’s minds. It gave them the opportunity to see how people really treated each other on a very personal level which allowed them to reaffirm their progressive beliefs.

 

In the original movie poster for the film, we can see there is a collage of pictures, duplicates and singles portraying unpleasant emotions. The style that was used to make the poster is edgy, uncomfortable, and intriguing. The pressure instilled not only by the poster, but by the relationship of the protagonists, creates a successful connection with the viewers. This movie has less room for interpretation than Wild Strawberries with less existential theme. What this movie does have is more of a relatable situation, one not so personal as life’s reflections but still close enough to home to connect with many viewers. This goes along with the general theme of movies changing with time, becoming more focused on producing something that will be liked rather than an artists expression of talent. Kent Jones, an author for the criterion, wrote, “ A Woman Under the Influence is the toughest of all great American films. It takes conflicts and dynamics that we all know—all of us—and writes them uncomfortably large.” As filmography progressed, so did the way directors would connect to the audience.

Ivy Alvarez mentions in a blog post that the 70’s were a time of growth. “The seventies were undoubtedly a time of progression in terms of social issues.” This highlights that as society evolved, film makers focused on connecting with the audience in new ways too.

Blazing Saddles is a film that reached success in 1974 as well. With the actors in it being well known, it was a big budget film that appealed to many Americans. In a review written by the Hollywood Reporter, they say that Mel Brooks’ created a outrageous movie, and that it was. “Mel Brooks has come up with his most outrageous comedy to date” Blazing Saddles is described as a slapstick comedy but not only did it satirize western movies, it also portrayed the same social issues that the earlier films had. Blazing Saddles mocked women’s’ rights, racism, and a number of other sensitive topics, but because it was satirizing them so much, the audience let go of the seriousness and embraced the movie. Hollywood Reporter also describes Brook’s directing as “irreverent screenplay”, which I think truly shows how driven the film was to meet the bottom line. The large budget film was precisely designed to be unique, and connect with the audience through issues they certainly relate to, but in a way that was not serious, and hard to internalize. In the article by the hollywood reporter, they talk about Brook’s use of camera angles and the effect they had on the viewers. It made a mockery while entertaining, and is considered by Roger Ebert to be “unstructured and a total mess”, yet extremely successful. In an original review, written in 1974, Roger Ebert says “It’s a crazed grab-bag of a movie that does everything to keep us laughing”. It is so excessive that these days, though, it isn’t seen as much of a hilarious riot. T.B. Todd wrote in a blog post, “Blazing Saddles was not meant to be taken seriously and is seen as a film that mocks itself and western culture as a whole.“ Fortunately for Mel Brooks, his film was, at its release, very liked and successful. As time progressed though, directors styles did not stop evolving. The success of films did not need to rely on the use of extremist themes.

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon was produced in 2000, and the 25 years between it’s creation and the last 2 movies definitely showed the development of the focus of directors. Ang Lee integrated art, poetry, romance, and many appealing themes into his film. This resonated with the audiences and resulted in a very successful movie. Lee used wires to suspend the actors while fighting, which painted a very beautiful scene. The fighting was more like dancing, and the story line like a poem. Apparently it was a flop production in China, but many American’s fell in love with Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon. SDG from the Decentfilms website wrote that “Crouching Tiger is the martial arts movie transfigured, remade into a thing of haunting beauty, poetic grace, and astonishing power.” Movies became much more in depth when it comes to connecting with the audience. In the first couple of movies, there was not as much of an attempt in appealing to masses. This film is a culmination of the older theme of having a structured plot, mixed with the intention of appealing to the masses. Wild Strawberries told a story of a man who was dealing with looking back on his life while on his way to a convention. Blazing Saddles was not so clear, but more appealing, and Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon is a refined balance of the two. Bailey wrote in a blog post that, “It can be seen that there is a larger story set up to be told with classic fighting styles and a story that progresses”. The use of the poetic style martial arts action really hooked the American viewers while telling them a story for 120 minutes they truly enjoyed. An original article from 2000 talks about the skill of the cast in the movie and how it resonated with many. “Mr. Lee puts things together artfully and stages this movie like a comedy of manners; it could be ”Sense and Sensibility” with a body count.” This shows how much filmmaking evolved, not only on an artistic scale, but also in a financial regard. The focus shifts from creating an artistic piece of work to creating art, that will create a lot of revenue.