British Film History: Social Realism Genre and Sub Genres

The British Film Industry

We have made notes and watched clips from various eras of, the British Film Industry over this week. 

If you have missed notes on any decades, please make sure that you catch up. 

Social Realism

We examined social realism in 1950s/1960s and how this genre has evolved over time. Originally focussing on angry young protagonists, disillusioned with modern society and usually suffering social privation, this movement has evolved into a number of hybrid and sub-genres featuring provocative, authentic and raw human stories. 

Next week we will be screening our case study film: Ill Manors. It was made as a crime drama film in 2012 but has elements of the genre of urban social realism due to its use of urban East London locations, gritty and authentic dialogue, an exploration of social issues and real life influence (Plan B wrote it when he was 21, basing the original concept on an incident of a raid by police on his home.) 

If you are interested in this topic and want to find out more, here are some useful places you can go:

1) Best British Films- Time Out's list of the best of British film 

2) Films that could only have been made in Britain: An interesting article about what it means for a film to be British and how the industry  has flourished and been extremely diverse over the years. 

3) An interesting Guardian article about this year's BAFTA nominated social realist film, 'I, Daniel Blake'. The article discusses the credibility of the film, made in 2016 by celebrated social realist director Ken Loach, which uses authentic docu-drama style to examine and critique the social welfare system in Britain and how it is failing many of its working class.

4) Social Realism - A BFI history- A history of Social Realism in cinema throughout the ages with recommendations of films to watch to gain more insight into the genre and its sub-genres.