Genres (Researched from “Film Art: An Introduction” by D. Bordwell and K. Thompson.) “Types of films are commonly referred to as genres (pronounced “zahn-rahz”). The word genre is originally French and simply means kind or type.” (Bordwell & Thompson, 2004: 108). Genre groups films, which share similar filmic qualities and themes, into various subsections according to the type of film they are associated as. Various film genres are recognisable by the way they are presented and patterned or the way that they portray a certain emotion or feeling, as those of humour or horror. There is no distinct way by which we can define genre. Some films incorporate various aspects of different genres, thus we cannot define exactly what kind of text-book definition genre it is and being that all people are different, a comedy to one person may be a complete bore to the next. In a sense, certain films portray their genre as a subjective opinion. Film genre, in the modern filmic world today, is also very reliant on the actors that star in the feature. Automatically we, as viewers, would associate brawn and large stature with an action film, but occasional films tend to meld these characters into completely different subgenre, giving the film a very hybrid, generic feel to it. Genres are ways of providing films with the intended associations. It is a convention in which people can refer to initially grasp the notion of a film, “for the vast publicity system that exists around filmmaking, genres are a simple way to characterize film. In fact, reviewers are often central in gathering and crystallizing notions about genres.” (Bordwell & Thompson, 2004: 110). Genres are helpful in the general public as they give spectrum to different people and their different tastes. It also accommodates for any mood one may be in if they wanted to watch a film. It characterizes the films and sorts them into place for the viewer’s pleasure, “At all levels of the filmmaking and film-viewing processes, then, genres help assure that most members of society share at least some general notions about the many films that compete for our attention.” (Bordwell & Thompson, 2004: 110) Most genres share specific genre conventions. Stereotypical plots or certain predictable characters are expected to appear during a film of a desired genre. These are the conventions which group films into subgenres. Other than visual and audio conventions, those concerning mise-en-scene, cinematography, sound, lighting and editing, genres often also make boundaries around the type of thematic notions that are presented within films.
Last but not least, Genre is a class or category of artistic endeavor having a particular form, content, and technique. Aside from the character structure the genre can be compared and contrasted in these two movies. The movie Bicycle Thieves genre is a mystery/crime and Big Deal on Madonna Street is a comedy. Even though the two movies are two different genres they do share similar set ups. Both movies are about the social issues of Italy but Big Deal on Madonna Street amplifies and spoofs Italians
Film Noir, as Paul Schrader integrates in his essay ‘Notes on Film Noir,’ reflects a marked phase in the history of films denoting a peculiar style observed during that period. More specifically, Film Noir is defined by intricate qualities like tone and mood, rather than generic compositions, settings and presentation. Just as ‘genre’ categorizes films on the basis of common occurrences of iconographic elements in a certain way, ‘style’ acts as the paradox that exemplifies the generality and singularity at the same time, in Film Noir, through the notion of morality. In other words, Film Noir is a genre that exquisitely entwines theme and style, and henceforth sheds light on individual difference in perception of a common phenomenon. Pertaining
In the opening 5 mins of a film there are many clues to the genre of
Film genre is a distinctive collection of comparisons in the narrative aspects from which the films are produced. Genre denotes the characterization of narrative films, through the stories the literature tells and the way it presents these stories (Barsam and Monahan, 2013.) Film genres are often described by a set of conventions of storytelling such as themes, conflicts, situations, setting, character types, story formula, presentation, visual style, and even movie stars associated with particular genres (Barsam and Monahan, 2013). These conventions are not always enforced as filmmakers incorporate only some of these elements within any particular film. A few commonly recognized film genres include the Western, musical, horror, science fiction, and etc. A genre-bender film steps outside some of the defining features of its genre in terms of its conventions but is easily identified when it has been blended with another genre. The gangster film genre concentrates on stories whose principal struggle is between criminals and the society they live in. This genre typically emphasizes a cautionary tale that is demonstrated by the main character who commits crimes (Barsam and Monahan, 2013.) Also, this genre is often blended with film noir, a distinct genre made discernible by its mood of pessimism, and fatalism. The film, Bonnie and Clyde directed by Arthur Penn in 1967, is an example of a genre-bending gangster film due to its distinct genre conventions of story formula, setting, and character types that step outside of the typical gangster film genre conventions.
The genre of the film is how we know what kind of film it is. Genre is a French word which literally means type; it shows what category a film comes under. There are certain factors in a genre which will identify it. Things like settings, characters and themes can all be similar in one specific genre.
Barry, , Keith, and Grant, ed. Film Genre Reader III. Austin, TX: University of Texas Press,
How the genre influences the viewer depends of the viewer. Some people watch a movie to learn or study. While others can watch the same movie for entertainment purposes. The way a movie is interpreted by the viewer is completely dependent on how the viewer experiences the film. Comedy movies make you happy and laugh. While horror movies make you cringe in fear. Genre can influence the viewer on many levels. It just depends on the reason the person is watching the film for in the first place.
In Hollywood today, most films can be categorized according to the genre system. There are action films, horror flicks, Westerns, comedies and the likes. On a broader scope, films are often separated into two categories: Hollywood films, and independent or foreign ‘art house’ films. Yet, this outlook, albeit superficial, was how many viewed films. Celebrity-packed blockbusters filled with action and drama, with the use of seamless top-of-the-line digital editing and special effects were considered ‘Hollywood films’. Films where unconventional themes like existentialism or paranoia, often with excessive violence or sex or a combination of both, with obvious attempts to displace its audiences from the film were often attributed with the generic label of ‘foreign’ or ‘art house’ cinema.
film. They know that if they go and see this genre of film that they
Friedman, L., Desser, D., Kozloff, S., Nichimson, M., & Prince, S. (2014). An introduction to film genres. New York, London: W.W. Norton & Company.
Film scholars around the world agree that all genres of film are part of the “genre cycle”. This cycle contains four different stages that a specific genre goes through. These stages are: primitive, classic, revisionist, and parody. Each stage that the genre goes through brings something different to that genre’s meaning and what the audience expects. I believe that looking at the horror genre will be the most beneficial since it has clearly gone through each stage.
A genre is a type or category of film (or other work of art) that can be easily identified by specific elements of its plot, setting, mise en scène, character types, or style. (Goodykoontz, 2014) The gangster film is a sub-genre of the broader genre of crime film. A genre main objective is to classify the depiction of entertainment. The genre of my movie is a gangster film. My movie I chose was Scarface. Directed by Brian De Palma.An update of the 1932 film, Scarface (1983) follows gangster Tony Montana and his close friend Manny Ray from their trip on the Cuban Boat Lift for refugees to their arrival in Miami. (Scarface, 1983a)
Williams, Linda. "Film Bodies: Genre, Gender and Excess." Braudy and Cohen (1991 / 2004): 727-41. Print.
Barsam, R. M., Monahan, D., & Gocsik, K. M. (2012). Looking at movies: an introduction to film (4th ed.). New York: W.W. Norton & Co..
Since the creation of film, there are eleven main genres that comprise the film industry. These eleven genres are: Crime & Gangster, Adventure, Action, Comedy, Drama, Epics, Horror, Science Fiction, Musicals, Westerns and War. Each segment has its own effect on the population, the most of which is the Horror movie industry. Studies have shown that