A Global Cinema Industry?

Is there such thing as a global cinema industry? Debate this question with reference to contemporary cinema production

This question has been topic of debate for many years with scholars offering up their own viewpoints on the subject. I will look at the national cinema industries of certain countries and then discuss whether a global cinema industry exists.

Early film production include the Silent industries and films made in the World War One era. There were no real UK studios only independent filmmakers. The US however was evolving as Hollywood is developed and studios begin to form. Within Germany investing in the cinema was seen as investing in their identity as the national identity at the time was low in the Weimar Republic period. French cinema was similar to that of the UK and they preferred to focus on artistic expression and creativity (Norwell-Smith, G 1996). The UK and French efforts are put into actuality films during war period, so US production was dominating the UK cinema screens.

National cinema is films made within a country and contributes to the representation of national identity. They are also financed by money from the country which they are produced in and includes all films produced in a country primarily for the audience of that state.

British cinema is an example of a national cinema .British cinema was massively popular in the 1930’s to the mid 50’s and almost everyone went to the cinema at least once a week. Since then cinema audiences have declined dramatically and it is no longer as successful as it was. British cinema has been in the shadow of Hollywood for a while now, with no solely British movie in the top ten in the last 10 years.

Another national cinema is the German film industry. Know...

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Out of all national cinema, Hollywood would be the one considered to be global. Their films extend way beyond the confines of the US and have a massive influence on people around the world.

America determines how successful films are. If they have done well in America then they can be considered successful if not then they have performed ok but not considered to be blockbusters.

For there to be a truly global cinema industry it would mean that many national cinema industry were popular and thriving. That people were being exposed to a wide range of films from numerous countries. However this isn’t the case. The majority of films that get the exposure around the world are Hollywood films, it is this films that have the most impact in the film industry and so the American dominance limits the capacity for other national cinemas to contribute to the economy.