From Silent Film to Virtual Reality (Cinema hasn’t always been like this, what we see today is how films have evolved over more than a century. As a film student, there is nothing more important than learning about the movements that challenged the old ways and shaped cinema for the better.)
FILM REVOLUTIONS, what are they? And Why is it important to even talk about it? Film revolutions serve as blueprints of the times they exist in. Films constantly evolve with time, not only in terms of technology but also in storytelling and style. This evolution is influenced by cultural, political, and societal changes, as well as innovations. By understanding these revolutions, you gain insight into the times they existed and how they continuously evolved with changing circumstances. For aspiring filmmakers, this understanding helps to gain an insight into the art form and how our circumstances and times impact the way films are made. It also offers a roadmap for the future and a deeper understanding of how society and cinema influence each other.
Throughout the history of cinema, numerous film movements have emerged, each with its unique style, themes, and techniques. From the silent era to the introduction of sound, from technicolor to color, the visual transformation of cinema is apparent. But, what adds depth to this evolution is how different cultures bring their own psychological and stylistic approaches to filmmaking. Some of these approaches transcend borders and are adopted by filmmakers worldwide, fundamentally altering how films are made today.
I must tell you that these revolutions are not confined to specific time frames, and some even overlap with each other, as each culture adds its own sensibilities and adapts them to their societal and political needs.
- Silent Era (1895-1929)
- German Expressionism (1919-1933)
- Soviet Montage (1924-1930)
- Surrealism (1920s)
- Poetic Realism (1930s)
- Italian Neorealism (1943-1952)
- French New Wave (1950s-1960s)
- Japanese New Wave (1960s-1970s)
- New German Cinema (1960s-1980s)
- New Hollywood (1960s-1980s)
- Iranian New Wave (1960s-1970s)
- Hong Kong New Wave (late 1970s-1980s)
- Parallel Cinema (India) (1950s-1980s)
- Dogme 95 (1995-2005)
- Nuevo Cine Mexicano/ Mexican New Wave (1990s-present)
- Korean New Wave (1990s-present)
- Romanian new wave (1990s-present)
- Digital Revolution (1990s-present)
- Independent Cinema
- Streaming and Online Distribution
- Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality
Each of these revolutions has brought its own set of innovations, challenges, and opportunities, contributing to the evolution and diversity of cinema as an art form. However, these are not all; it was not possible for me to cover every revolution in its entirety. Therefore I have highlighted the most important ones in terms of their universal prominence. But just like the Japanese New Wave and the Mexican New Wave, there are other significant revolutions that have followed the ongoing wave, influencing their local cinema with new wave elements such as realism, the addressing of socio-cultural political topics, and diverse themes that challenge traditional narratives.
Some of these include: Brazilian Cinema Novo (1960s-1970s), British New Wave (1950s-1960s), Middle Eastern New Wave (2000s-present), and Australian New Wave (1970s-1980s).
