The Foreign New Wave: A Shift in Cinema

Introduction

• Foreign New Wave: A significant movement in international cinema.
  • Changed perception of cinema as art and national expression.
  • Arose as a response to Hollywood dominance and post-WWII devastation.

Context and Origins

• Post-WWII Impact: European protectionist policies to preserve national cinema.
  • Aimed to deter American cultural influence.
• Absence of Television's Impact in Europe: Cinema remained the primary entertainment source.

Italian Neorealism

• Cinema Magazine: Chronicled Italian Neorealism.
  • Edited by Vittorio Mussolini, ironic due to his father's fascist regime.
• Key Films and Directors:
  • Rome, Open City by Roberto Rossellini.
  • Bicycle Thieves by Vittorio De Sica, a pinnacle of Italian Neorealism.
• Collaboration Shift: Economic realities led to collaborations with other national studios.
  • Federico Fellini's La Dolce Vita with French studio Pathé.

French New Wave

• Cahiers du Cinema: Influential film journal.
  • Key figures: Jean-Luc Godard, Francois Truffaut.
  • Leader: André Bazin, provided theoretical framework for film.
• Bazin's Contributions:
  • Focused on objective reality, mise-en-scène, deep focus, wide-angle shots.
  • Developed Auteur Theory: Director as primary author of a film.
• Notable Films:
  • Truffaut's 400 Blows and Godard's Breathless.

American Influence and Interaction

• Orson Welles: Credited by Bazin, particularly for Citizen Kane.
• Nicholas Ray: Influential to New Wave.
  • Known for Rebel Without a Cause.
• Charlie Chaplin: Hailed as possibly the greatest filmmaker of all time.

Japanese Cinema

• Akira Kurosawa: Introduced new filmmaking methods.
  • Notable film: Rashomon.
• Innovations:
  • Camera work: Shooting into the sun, using ink in rain.
• Yasujiro Ozu: Defined a unique Japanese cinematic style.
  • Masterpiece: Tokyo Story with static camera and direct filming.
• Kurosawa's Seven Samurai:
  • Influential to both East and West; inspired films like The Magnificent Seven and Star Wars.

Conclusion

• American Cinema's Response: Initially waned, but prepared for resurgence with new directors.
• Future Discussions: New Hollywood and its impact on global cinema.

The foreign new wave marked a pivotal moment in film history, shifting focus towards a more artistic and diverse cinematic landscape. The movement’s influence permeated through different cultures and still resonates in contemporary filmmaking.