Samantha Lay- British Social Realism

Introduction

"The contention here is that social realism has been a major mode of expression in British screen culture that continues to this day." 

"Social realism as a concept cannot be understood in the British context without an understanding of the terms in which social realism texts have been discussed and how such texts are perceived by audiences, critics and film theorists."- Readings (preferred, negotiated, oppositional) Impact.

"Films should have a social purpose, and a moral force, rather than being merely entertaining or diverting."

"It is impossible to speak of social realist film-making in Britain without acknowledging the influence and importance of television."

1980's- "A resurgence of interest in social realism took place as a response to the harsh economic and social realities of life under the Thatcher administrations." - Personal Identification, sees an event/situation/section of society as a complete outsider- detaches audience allows them to be more objective and see the argument or message that the film promotes. 

1. Social Realism In The British Context 

"It is something of a catch-all term" 

"Social realist texts are described as 'gritty' and 'raw', offering a 'slice of life' or a view of 'life as it really is'." - Life as it really is to who?

"There is no universal, all- encompassing definition of realism, nor is there agreement amongst academics and film-makers as to its purpose and use."

"Many realisms all share an interest in presenting some aspects of life as its is lived."

Carroll (1996)- "should only be used with a prefix attached". 

"The addition of a prefix, such as social-, neo-, documentary-, specifies the 'what' and crucially, 'when' of that movement or moment."

"Realism is irrevocably tied to the specifics of time and place, or 'moment'."- ever-changing, prompts different responses. Situated culture, where they there? Alive at the time it is set?, Where they where born. Where they live.

Cultural experiences- Effected by the issue?, Class, political outlook.

"Truth has as many faces as there are eyes that see it." 

Zola- "Constructing exhaustively detailed descriptions of the worlds characters inhabited.... extending to character formulation, development and situations". - importance of of setting, and the need for it to be meticulous and correct. 

http://ojs.cf.ac.uk/index.php/newreadings/article/download/41/92

Andre Bazin- Film as a Social Documentary (2001) - "Realism should provide room enough for audiences to find their own realities."- readings etc.  

"Depth of shot and long takes would allow for this space to negotiate the realism of the text."

"There is not one, but several realisms. Each era looks for its own, that is to say the technique and the aesthetic which can best capture it."

"Hollywood films, for example, can be regarded as realistic in setting, characterisation, situation (they nave basis/reference/currency in the 'real world' they allude to), they are not necessarily realist texts." 

Branston and Stafford- "Intended to capture the experience of the actual event depicted."

"The film-maker has a specific argument or message to deliver about the social world."- Les Mis- could be considered social realist, musical?