European Cinema

Ginette Vincendeau's article "Issues In European Cinema" explains the differences between European film and the typical movie produced by Hollywood. The expectations that audiences have come to develop from fast paced, action based American films can present an obstacle in their appreciation for a foreign cinema. When our English class watched 400 Blows, for example, a common reaction was frustration with the lack of excitement and fluidity in storyline. But Vincendeau presents study of European cinema as a study of art cinema. European films are commonly aesthetically innovative, socially committed, and humanist. Especially into the 1970's and 1980's, it has become the design of European filmmaking to counteract Hollywood's domination over markets. The viewing experience associated with European cinema requires a new mindset in order to appreciate the text. Recognizing the purpose and methods of the film being viewed is beneficial to the audience's overall understanding and enjoyment.

-- Audrey Chasteen

Vincedeau, Ginette. "Issues In European Cinema." The Oxford Guide To Film Studies. New York: Oxford University Press, 1998.