The film industry has undergone some serious growth and changes since 1965, and the films we’ve watched this quarter is a good reflection of the progress the industry has made over the decades. A Bout de Souffle was the first film I watched for this class and it was a contrast to the movies I typically watch, but it provided me with a glimpse of what films looked like during the 60s. The demand for television and films was rising during the 60s, but it did not have the same mainstream attraction that it does today. In the early stages of the film industry, directors like Goddard were focused on developing a film where they could explore their own creative avenues; A Bout de Souffle became the signature film of the French New Wave and was a milestone for the film industry. As Goddard stated in an interview, he wasn’t interested in the success of the film or how audiences reacted to it, he was focused on creating a film that reflected his own style and philosophies. That’s where film has evolved over the decades, most films cater to what’s in demand with the general public because they dictate its success at the box office. However, it’s important for filmmakers to keep producing original ideas and contributing to the film industry.
Here in the United States, films have become an important part of our culture because it’s an effective means for social commentary. Filmmakers are free to explore the problems they see within society any way they wish, which demonstrates why films can be such powerful tools. The Conversation is a film that exposes the dangers of surveillance and how it can lead to the loss of privacy, but the director Coppola states the film’s release was coincidental to the Watergate Scandal, which occurred prior to the film. It had some serious implications at the time, but now more than ever we are living in a period where it’s difficult to determine what’s private anymore. The release of this film right after Watergate must have done something to confirm the public’s fear.
Another film that may have received some negative reviews for its social commentary is Avatar; James Cameron’s environmental and anti-war sentiments are prevalent throughout the film. The plot centers around a native population called the Na’vi that live on Pandora, and an organization from Earth has established itself on Pandora to mine an expensive resource called Unobtanium. This story has many similarities to the United States’ own mistreatment of the Native Americans and shares Cameron’s belief about war and expansionist policies. Films are meant to be creative expressions of people involved in a film, so it makes sense if they want to use it as a platform to express their own personal philosophies and beliefs. However, Cameron received backlash for some of the political undertones that many believed he’d included in his film about anti-war sentiments. There were complaints that it drew too many connections to the U.S. wars in Iraq, Afghanistan, etc. However, we’re a society built around free speech and films are just another means of expressing our beliefs, but there’s always going to be critics and opposition when we’re discussing social issues.
As the world and society change, so do the nature of films because we’ve gained new ideas and perspectives along the way. There are typical conventions for films of every genre, but at certain times films don’t follow these conventions and try to create something with a new perspective. That is what Stanley Kubrick was going for when he directed The Shining, he redefined what a horror film could be even if others didn’t agree with his vision. I’ve never been a fan of horror movies, but The Shining didn’t remind me of a horror film. It moves at an exceedingly slow pace, but it’s accompanied by tense music and disturbing visuals that are supposed to help the audience feel the isolation and horror portrayed in the film. Initial critic reviews of the films were not so positive because it had defied the normal conventions of the horror genre, but appreciation for its contributions to film grew over time.
Another important change in the film industry that can’t be forgotten is the evolution of technology and how that has played a role in the development of movies. As the decades’ progress, the technology available for film production has advanced and played a more prominent role in films. Of all the films we watched in this class, one of the most technologically advanced has been Avatar, which defied all the quality of special effects that had been seen in the film industry prior to its release. Cameron developed two new cameras, the 3D Fusion Camera and Simul-Cam Virtual Camera, that helped make his vision for Avatar a reality. The success of the film quickly launched it to the top of the box office, and it is still the highest-grossing film to this day. This film revolutionized how digital effects can be used and really pushed the limits of technologically possible at the time, and audiences are still able to appreciate its fantastic visuals.
AVATAR Clip – Final Battle (2009) James Cameron – YouTube
The Best Cinematography – The Many Looks Of Avatar (nyfa.edu)
Since 1965, films have had a growing influence on our society, so they’re influential tools in helping to break typical gender and race roles. After watching Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, you’re able to appreciate how it defied the typical representation of women in films, especially in Chinese culture, by creating two strong female characters that have the freedom to make their own decisions. Ang Lee, the director of the film, intended to challenge the stereotypes of Chinese society. The narrative of this film follows the story of Jen, the daughter of a high-ranking family that desires independence from the constraints of her family and what society expects of her. She decided to run away before the date of her arranged marriage, and her actions afterward brought on all the resulting drama and tragedy of the film. This idea of having a strong, independent female lead has been around in the film industry for a long time now, but recently we’re beginning to see bold ideas that are putting more pressure on society’s preconceived ideas about gender roles. There was a Marvel film that was released recently called Eternals, and something I noticed immediately was the diversity of the cast; they included people of every gender, race, and sexual orientation. It’s amazing to see how films have changed, but it’s also important to acknowledge the entire history of film to gain a full appreciation of all its aspects.
The social values and what’s deemed as acceptable in films have evolved considerably since 1965. In the early stages of the industry, society was more conservative and that is what was being seen in films. As society has progressed, it has also expanded what directors are able to portray on screen such as sex, violence, language, etc. It is all dependent on how directors utilize these elements for their film because if they’re used correctly then they can greatly add to a film’s depth and impact.
In the earlier years of the film industry, films didn’t have the same widespread popularity as they do now, so they weren’t as focused on creating big economic success. Instead, they were using films as a way to creatively express themselves and their ideas, similar to a musician or artist. In the interview with Jean-Luc Godard, he states the popularity of his films with the audience really didn’t concern him. He actually states he’d prefer if audiences hated his films, and the only explanation I can produce for this statement is that if he didn’t worry about what audiences thought then he’d have unlimited creative freedom. Today, creating films has become a profitable business in addition to being a creative enterprise, and there are many films out there just trying to chase a profit. In order to finance a film, you need investors which means there are people that are reliant on the economic success of the film. The film industry definitely has more of a business model now compared to 1965, but there are still many films and directors that are practicing social commentary and producing creative, new ideas.
Jean-Luc Godard interview 1960 – YouTube
This class has shown me the evolution of the film industry and given me the opportunity to watch some films I probably would have never otherwise watched. Films are an effective platform for social commentary, and as issues evolve and change so does the film industry. The advancement of technology is an important factor to consider in the development of the film industry. Better technology has allowed for easier use of special effects in films, and that’s why it has become a very important aspect in many current films. The films I’ve watched this quarter have given me a slightly broader understanding of the film industry. One thing I can say is that films have changed radically since 1965, and films are continually evolving with each new generation.