Cinema is, far and away, one of the most dominant art forms of the past two centuries. What began as simple moving pictures has grown into perhaps the best medium for telling stories that capture the human experience and much more.
While many people in the United States find cinema synonymous with Hollywood, it is now and has long been much more than that.
For anyone wondering if “the movies” can be more than summer blockbusters, saving the world, and rom-com, the answer is an overwhelming and enthusiastic “Yes”.
There are many ways to learn more about what cinema has to offer beyond corny commercial clichés and money-grab sequels.
Let’s explore some alternatives known to illuminate the path to cinema bliss.
The Magic of Independent Cinema
What do George Lucas, Quentin Tarantino, and Spike Lee all have in common besides being some of the most successful directors today? They all got their start as independent filmmakers.
Independent films aka indie films, are often small-scale productions taking place outside of the influence of major studio oversight.
Creativity, authenticity, and defiance of convention tend to be their hallmarks. Festivals like Sundance and Cannes are staple platforms for these films to debut.
The Wealth of International Cinema
The global film landscape offers some of the most precious jewels moviegoers could ever find.
With many major markets for film production and distribution churning out films year-round, there’s far more richness and diversity happening internationally than in Hollywood.
India, South Korea, Japan, Nigeria, France, and Germany are a few international heavies making their mark.
The Rawness of Documentaries
Thought-provoking and informative content is what documentaries are often all about.
For non-fictional narratives covering a vast range of topics, from societal issues to refugee crises and more, the documentary deals with real life and the real world.
Documentary filmmakers are often created to expose a central issue or make some societal change.
The Audacity of Experimental Films
In cinema, Experimental cinema is something like what Acid Jazz is to Jazz.
Going beyond abandoning conventional storytelling techniques, experimental cinema often pushes the boundaries on all cinematic fonts.
Visuals, sound, editing, and narrative are all characteristics that can be explored, reshaped, and sometimes redefined when experimental films are made.
The Charm of Cult Classics and Midnight Movies
Cult classics and midnight movies have rooted themselves into the cinematic landscape against the odds.
Often attracting unlikely and unusually dedicated fan bases, these films regularly challenge societal and artistic conventions.
Often quirky, offbeat, and unpredictable, audiences get their kicks from knowing the mainstream spirit is nowhere within these films.
The Efficiency of Short Films
Like short songs, short films hold space in their medium, doing more with less.
Often as a compelling and potent narrative format, filmmakers are known to use short films on platforms like YouTube and Vimeo to showcase their talent and drum up support.
What was once done on expensive reels can now be done at home with equipment that costs less than a Rolex.