Discover the Magic and Impact of Cinema: Delving into the World of Film Theory

Since the advent of cinema in the late 19th century, and the popularization of the mainstream movies in the 1950s, films have taken over the world. From dedicated pop culture forums to family dinner table conversations, films have been discussed and dissected. They have been both dearly loved or abhorrently despised.

With films occupying such an important position in our cultural zeitgeist - there emerges the need for film theory. Film theory, simply put, is the study of film. This includes the many technical aspects involved in filmmaking and films' influence on society. So, the next time you are at a dinner party, and inevitably the latest blockbuster is being discussed, you can use your knowledge of film theory to wow your eager audience.

There are four major schools of film theory - Formalist, Auteur, Feminist, and Apparatus. Let’s delve deeper into each of them, to help appreciate the masterful technique, artistry, and creativity that goes into filmmaking.

Formalist film theory, first articulated by Rudolf Arnheim in the mid-20th century examines all the technical aspects of a film. It explores how the lighting, sound, camera angles. set design, editing, color palette, etc. affect the audience’s perception of a film. This theory examines how extremely technical elements and raw visual data can elicit a visceral emotional response in audiences.

So, the next time a film scene moves you, try and observe how the lighting, sound, or camera angle were designed to bring you that experience.

Auteur, meaning author in French emphasizes the director’s impact on the film. While every director has access to the same technical resources such as lighting, sound, editing, etc., - they all wield these tools uniquely and with their style. The auteur film theory examines the film in association with the director’s other work - to help identify recurring themes, motifs, or images that enhance the film.

The films of Quentin Tarantino, Martin Scorsese, Cristopher Nolan, and Greta.

The feminist film theory aims to analyze the role of women in cinema.

According to the theory, how women are portrayed in the film, directly affects how women are viewed in society as a whole. For example, if the women are always the damsel in distress on screen, it may lead some of the audience to believe that women in real life are weak and always need rescuing, which is far from the truth.

A tool of the feminist film theory is the Bechdel test - coined by feminist Alice Bechdel in 1985. To pass the Bechdel test, a film must have 2 or more named female characters, who must share dialogue about something other than a man. A lot of universally beloved films fail to pass this simple test, including the Lord of the Rings and the Avengers.

The apparatus film theory believes that all movies are innately ideological, and they reflect real-world beliefs. It examines how a film can affect the real world

ideological or political beliefs of an audience.

The apparatus theory also highlights how deeply the audience and the film are interconnected. Movies are a great way to spend an idle afternoon, but through film theory, we understand how important to society, cinema truly is. So next time you are at the theatre, go armed with the knowledge of film theory to truly appreciate the magnificence on display.