Revision 2 - Section A World Cinema Surrealism

Section A: World Cinema 

In order to understand surrealism as an example of an international film style we need, first of all, to have an understanding of what we mean by world cinema.

Starter: Answer the 3 questions about surrealism on the handout provided.

How would you define world cinema?

It’s a term used in English-speaking countries to refer to the films and film industries of  non-English-speaking countries. The word ‘world’ has often been interchanged with ‘foreign’.

2.       In A2 Film Studies we look at film as art rather than film as a commercial product.

Our starting point is to understand what we mean by art. How would you describe art?

The expression of human creative skill, often in a visual form, producing works that are appreciated primarily for their beauty or emotional power.

3.       Historically, art (painting, drawing etc) existed before film was invented so what is so exciting about surrealism is that it was the first film ‘movement’ to develop out of an art ‘movement’.

       What is an art movement?

      An art movement is a tendency or style in art with a specific common philosophy or goal, followed by a group of artists during a restricted period of time, (usually a few months, years or decades).

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Task 3: Watch this overview of surrealism

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Points to remember:

Don’t describe the style or the films in negative or derogatory terms

Surrealism in the 1920s (France) was one of the most influential, experimental and radical art and

cinema forms ever to emerge

Don’t describe the narratives as ‘weird’ or making no sense. Narratives are anti-narrative

(deliberately) or non-linear, non cause-effect etc. All of this was deliberate playing with rules and

techniques to push boundaries and explore possibilities – the focus of many these films was style

rather than story.

Past questions - Task 3: Produce essay response plans for the questions on the handout provided.


Either 3. Consider the significance of cinematography and/or editing in creating a distinctive style of cinema in the films you have studied for this topic. [35] 
or 4. How important is it to see the films you have studied for this topic as being marked by their specific time and place of production?

Either, 3. Explore in detail the use of a particular micro feature in your chosen international film style. [35] 
Or, 4. Discuss some of the factors that contributed to the development of your chosen international film style.

3. Discuss how far your international film style was developed by directors and how far by other influences. [35] 
Or, 4. To what extent is your international film style characterised by a particular approach to performance and/or mise-en-scène?

3. How far does cinematic style support themes and ideas in the films you have studied for this topic? [35] 
Or, 4. Discuss how far the development of your chosen international film style can be seen as the work of particular creative individuals?

3. How far can the impact of your chosen international film style be explained by reference to its historical context? [35] 
Or, 4. ‘There are as many stylistic differences as there are similarities within international film styles.’ With reference to the films you have studied for this topic, how far do you agree? [35]