Film Appreciation - Chapter 12

What major global event influenced the film industry in the 1940s?

World War II

What genre emerged in Italy after World War II?

Italian Neorealism

Who coined the term Neorealism?

Film critic Umberto Barbero in 1943

What are the key characteristics of Neorealism?

Documentary visual style, use of actual locations, non-professional actors, loose episodic structures, and conversational speech.

Which film is considered the origin of the Neorealistic style?

Open City (1945) directed by Roberto Rossellini

What was the significance of Roberto Rossellini's film Open City?

It was the first film in the Neorealism movement and won the Grand Prize at Cannes.

What challenges did Roberto Rossellini face after World War II?

He lacked access to good quality film stock and shot Open City on newsreel stock.

Who was Vittorio De Sica's significant collaborator in the Neorealist movement?

Writer Cesare Zavattini

What is the title of Vittorio De Sica's Neorealist masterpiece?

Bicycle Thief (1948)

How many Oscars did Vittorio De Sica win?

Four Oscars

What film marked Federico Fellini's shift away from Neorealism?

La Dolce Vita (1960)

What themes are explored in Ingmar Bergman's films?

Ambitious metaphysical themes and religious anguish.

What is the title of Ingmar Bergman's allegorical film about a knight playing chess with Death?

The Seventh Seal (1956)

What was the impact of World War II on German cinema?

The infrastructure was destroyed, and significant works were not produced until the 1960s.

What was the primary focus of Italian Neorealism?

Common people living in the reality of post-war devastation.

What was a common visual style in Neorealistic films?

Documentary visual style with no artifice in editing, camera work, and lighting.

Which actress frequently starred in Roberto Rossellini's films?

Anna Magnani

What was the relationship between Roberto Rossellini and Ingrid Bergman?

They married after a scandalous affair.

What film did Vittorio De Sica and Sophia Loren collaborate on that won an Oscar?

Two Women (1961)

What was the significance of the film La Strada (1954) in Fellini's career?

It captured many Neorealist qualities and marked his rise as a director.

What is the title of Fellini's film that won the Golden Palm at Cannes in 1960?

La Dolce Vita

Which film by Ingmar Bergman explores themes of silence and existential dread?

The Silence (1963)

What was the impact of punitive sanctions on the German film industry post-WWII?

It contributed to a lack of significant film production until the 1960s.

What did the Neorealist movement reject from pre-war Italian cinema?

Escapist films that ignored pressing social issues.

Who are some prominent directors associated with Italian Neorealism?

Roberto Rossellini, Vittorio De Sica, and Federico Fellini.

What role did Cesare Zavattini play in the Neorealist movement?

He was the unofficial spokesman and collaborated with De Sica.

What film by Bergman deals with a knight's religious doubts?

The Seventh Seal (1956)

What does the term 'New Wave' or 'Nouvelle Vague' refer to?

A movement describing the sudden prominence of a group of young French filmmakers in the late 1950s.

Who coined the term 'New Wave'?

A French journalist in 1959.

How many features debuted during the New Wave between 1958 and 1963?

More than 100 features.

Which magazine did André Bazin found?

Cahiers du Cinema.

Name two prominent directors who transitioned from critics to filmmakers in the New Wave.

Jean-Luc Godard and François Truffaut.

What filming technique did New Wave directors favor?

Long, deep-focus shots that embodied a more complete scene.

How did New Wave directors utilize television technology?

They made films cheaply, quickly, and spontaneously.

What was a common editing style in New Wave films?

Unconventional editing that often began scenes with a close-up rather than an establishing shot.

Name an actor who gained international success from the New Wave films.

Jean-Paul Belmondo.

What year was Jean-Luc Godard born?

1930

What was Jean-Luc Godard's significant film that established the New Wave style?

Breathless (1960).

What is the title of Godard's 2014 film that examines life in the modern Arab world?

The Image Book.

What recurring themes are found in François Truffaut's works?

The importance of friendship and the mysterious allure of women.

What was the title of Truffaut's semi-autobiographical film that won the Grand Prize at Cannes?

The 400 Blows.

What notable film did Truffaut direct that won Best Foreign Language Film?

Day for Night (1973).

Who is known as 'The Emperor' of Japanese film?

Akira Kurosawa.

What award did Kurosawa's film Rashomon win at the Venice Film Festival?

The Golden Lion award.

What is the theme of Kurosawa's film The Seven Samurai?

It portrays a peasant masquerading as a samurai, emphasizing human emotions.

Which Shakespearean play inspired Kurosawa's film Throne of Blood?

Macbeth.

What was unique about Kurosawa's perspective on the individual versus society?

He sided with the individual rather than the traditional Japanese viewpoint.

Which film by Kurosawa is based on Dostoyevsky's novel?

The Idiot (1951).

What influence did Kurosawa have on Western filmmakers?

He influenced directors like John Sturges and Sergio Leone.

What film did George Lucas base on Kurosawa's The Hidden Fortress?

Star Wars (1977).