Part 1 touched briefly on cinema history, now Part 2 will take a look at a few of the video store genre staples outside of Action, Comedy, Romance, and Drama.
Part 2: Genres and more
Cult Cinema
A staple of the independent video store, films that achieve cult status cut across traditional genres, achieving notoriety with their small but passionate followings. They range from movies “so bad that they’re good” to works distinguished by their offbeat, unconventional or transgressive natures. Significant contributors include filmmakers such as “golden turkey” winner Ed Wood (Plan 9 from Outer Space, Glen or Glenda), the highly regarded, often surreal and dreamlike David Lynch (Eraserhead, Blue Velvet), the campy “pope of puke” John Waters (Pink Flamingos, Hairspray), and low-budget trailblazer Roger Corman (The Masque of the Red Death, The Little Shop of Horrors).
Cult films are often known for a tendency to challenge societal norms and conventions, dealing with taboo or controversial subjects or serving a heavy dose of social commentary. Take David Lynch’s Blue Velvet explores the dark underbelly of small-town America, John Waters’ Pink Flamingos – a celebration of bad taste, and Roger Corman’s The Little Shop of Horrors, a classic example of a B-movie with low budget special effects and over-the-top acting.
Some popular cult films include:
- Repo Man – A young punk rocker becomes a repo man and embarks on a bizarre quest for a mysterious Chevy Malibu, known for its punk rock soundtrack and offbeat humor
- The Rocky Horror Picture Show – A newly engaged couple stumble upon a castle of a mad transvestite scientist and become embroiled in a surreal world of sex, science fiction, and rock and roll.
- The Big Lebowski – “The Dude,” an easy-going slacker, gets mistaken for a millionaire with the same name and becomes embroiled in a strange series of events involving kidnapping, bowling, and a urine-stained rug.
No Wave and Indie Films
The no wave movement was a short-lived but influential film movement in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Originating in New York City, the no wave filmmakers rejected the commercialism and slick production values of Hollywood films in favor of a raw, DIY aesthetic. They often shot on shoestring budgets, using non: actors and improvisation, and their films often dealt with gritty, urban themes such as poverty, crime, and social alienation. Despite the small and often underground nature of the no wave movement, it has had a lasting impact on independent cinema, and many of its key figures, such as Jim Jarmusch and Steve Buscemi, went on to successful careers in the film industry.
Indie films have continued to evolve since the no wave movement, with different sub-genres and movements emerging throughout the years. In the 90’s, the Sundance Film Festival became a major platform for independent filmmakers to showcase their work, with films such as sex, lies, and videotape, The Blair Witch Project and Memento gaining huge critical and commercial success. Today, indie films have been thriving, and continue to showcase the talents of filmmakers such as:
- Greta Gerwig – Lady Bird (2017) and Little Women (2019) were well-received by audiences and critics alike. She is known for her insightful portrayals of young women and her unique blend of humor and drama
- Barry Jenkins – Jenkins is best known for directing the Oscar-winning film Moonlight (2016), which explores the life of a young black man growing up in Miami
- Chloé Zhao – Zhao directed Nomadland (2020), a film about a woman who travels the American West in a van after losing everything in the Great Recession. The film received 109 awards in total including the Academy Award for Best Picture (2021)
Documentaries
Documentaries have the power to educate and inspire audiences in ways that few other forms of media can match. From exploring important social issues to telling compelling stories about real people and events or simply entertaining us with stories about music, food, travel, or other topics, documentary filmmakers have a unique ability to engage viewers.
Some of the standout filmmakers include:
- Ken Burns is a master of historical documentaries, having directed award-winning series such as The Civil War and The Vietnam War. His films are known for their deep exploration of American history and the people who have shaped it.
- Werner Herzog is a German filmmaker who has made a name for himself with his visually stunning documentaries, such as Grizzly Man and Cave of Forgotten Dreams. He often delves into the extremes of human experience and explores the boundaries of the natural world.
- Laura Poitras – Poitras is an American filmmaker and journalist whose work often explores issues of surveillance and government secrecy. Her documentary Citizenfour, which chronicles the experiences of whistleblower Edward Snowden, won the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature in 2015.
- Errol Morris is a true investigative journalist, known for his work on documentaries like The Thin Blue Line and The Fog of War. He has a talent for uncovering hidden truths and exposing the complexities of his subjects.
- Alex Gibney has directed a wide range of documentaries, from Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room to Going Clear: Scientology and the Prison of Belief. He is known for his fearless approach to exposing corruption and wrongdoing, and his films have earned critical acclaim and numerous awards.
Directors
Auteur theory, as its name suggests, posits that the director of a film is the primary author of that film, and that their personal style and vision are reflected in the final product. This approach to film criticism emerged in the mid-20th century with champions such as French director Francois Truffaut, and has had a significant influence on how movies are analyzed and evaluated. Advocates of auteur theory argue that a director’s body of work can be seen as a coherent whole, with recurring themes and stylistic elements that distinguish it from the work of other filmmakers.
However, not everyone agrees with this. American critic Pauline Kael (1919-2001) was one of the most vocal critics of auteur theory. Kael believed that filmmaking was a collaborative process, with a wide range of contributors who all played a role in shaping the final product. According to Kael, it was a fallacy to attribute authorship to any one person, as the input of writers, actors, and editors was just as crucial to the success of a film as the director’s vision. Kael also argued that the idea of a director’s personal style was limiting and ignored the diversity and complexity of filmmaking as an art form.
Collections catering to cinephiles inevitably dedicate several shelves to directors with strong signature styles such as:
- Paul Thomas Anderson
- Kathryn Bigelow
- Sophia Coppola
- Spike Jonze
- Steve McQueen
- M. Night Shyamalan
International Cinema
International films offer a wealth of diversity and cultural exploration that is conspicuously absent from the mainstream Hollywood canon. These films proffer a wide range of narratives, themes, and perspectives that are distinctive to their respective countries, providing viewers a rarefied window into the lives and experiences of people from all corners of the globe. This infusion of different cultures and viewpoints facilitates the deconstruction of boundaries and fosters greater empathy and comprehension among individuals of disparate backgrounds. Moreover, international films frequently feature exceptional acting performances and employ innovative and inventive filmmaking techniques that can challenge and expand our conception of what constitutes compelling cinema.
International films also afford an invaluable opportunity to learn about history and politics, as they frequently address social issues and historical events that are specific to their regions of origin. Many international films confront subjects that are taboo in certain cultures or countries, offering a singular and occasionally controversial vantage point on sensitive topics. Viewing these films, we can attain a deeper understanding of the world around us and become more informed as global citizens. They provide delightful escapism to a different world, time, and culture, while also serving as a poignant reminder of the universal human experience and the profound ability of storytelling to transcend borders and bring people together.
- The Barbarian Invasions (Canda – 2003)
- The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie (France – 1972)
- In The Mood For Love (China – 2000)
- Like Water for Chocolate (Mexico – 1992)
- The Lunchbox (India – 2013)
- Parasite (Korea – 2019)
- Pelle the Conqueror (Sweden – 1987)
- Run Lola Run (Germany)