1st draft of Social Realism research

Social realism in British film

Social realism, which can also be known as socio realism, is an artistic form which can expressed, like other artistic forms, can be expressed in different visual forms. (Film, paintings, drawing etc).
 The art forms focus on things relative to real life situation class such as; Abuse, bankruptcy, racial discrimination or hatred.

Realism in arts is looking or observing the ordinary around us. Many artists used realism to truthfully show the world, the lives, problems and appearances of normal people in the world. This links in with social realism as social realism depicts the world for working class people, however it mainly focuses on the hardships or problems people have to face such as, violence, debt, and many other struggles in life.

Social realism in film first came from Italy, from the Italian neorealist movement., which was known for having a very naturalistic feel. Some popular directors from this scene include; Roberto Rossellini, and Vittorio De Sica.

Countries such as France were also involved in the social realism scene, however the social realist movement in France was in more art. Many of the painters who incorporated social realism into their works focused on the painful or harsh realities and used it as way to rebel against ‘Idealism’ and to show working class life which is similar to what social realism in film shows.  Some French artists in the social realism movement include; Jean- Francois, Gustave Courbet, Honore Daumier and more.

Another country known for using social realism as an expressive art form is India. Social realism in film in India is used to show things such as economic struggle, famine, drought and the struggle to provide for your family. For example the 1946 Hindi film ‘Neecha Nagar’ from the director Chetan Anand, shows the vast gulf or gap between the rich and poor in Indian society. However this is similar to social realism in British film, as it shows economic hardship or struggle for the working class. In addition to this the 1977 film ‘Nagarik’ from the Indian director Ritwik Ghatak shows the breakup of family due to financial problems, leading to family humiliation. The film also touches upon things such as separation and homelessness.

However despite its roots and other countries forms of social realism, Social realism is considered to be one of the main forms of cinematography in Britain. For People in Britain early cinema was based on points made by writers such as Dickens and Thomas Hardy.  

The first British film to show realism as form of protest and expression was from Scottish born Director James Williamson. The film was released in 1902 and was entitled ‘A reservist before the war’. The film showed men from the Boer war having to return home to vast unemployment. In addition directors such as Cecil Hepworth caught Edwardian England at a particular moment in its history in the film ‘Rescued by rover’. 

After the First World War the south-eastern middle class audience believed that realism was the key to national cinema. Realism had connotations of education, sophistication and a high degree of seriousness. This was due to many working class people favouring films in the style of the Hollywood genre. This has still distinguished the two genres, to some extent, to the present day. However this does not apply for everyone.  In the 1930’s,leading into the 1940’s, British cinema still had the sense of documentary which it had done earlier in the 1900’s. Films began to show how wartime (during the second world war) how society was changing. This was focusing on things such as women’s changing role in society. For example working in munitions factories. Boundaries between rich and poor were being smoothed out to create a society where people could live without tension between classes. Films such as ‘This happy breed’, ‘Millions like us’ and ‘Target for tonight’ all shot in the early 1940’s focus on this.

In the 1950’s and 1960’s the new wave of British film came along. This was influenced by documenters such as Humphrey Jennings who showed and portrayed the lives of factory workers and men and women in post war Britain. Films such as ‘A kind of loving’ and ‘room at the top’ brought films to ordinary people of Britain which showed the structure of life in post war Britain. 

Due to little or lack of censorship directors could give their characters social problems and difficulties, sex/love lives, money issues and things like this which began to make the characters ‘more human’. Subjects which had previously not been touched upon such as prostitution, abortion, depression and relationship problems were being dealt with in film as the 20^th century progressed.

More modern films such as Billy Elliot (2000) by British directors Stephen Daldry and Tom Sheerin express social realism in working class Britain. Examples of Social realism in the film are the miners’ strike was relevant for the time the film was set which is 1984-1985. In addition to this it touches on subjects such as riots, crime and violence. It also shows what family life was like for some at this time.

Codes and conventions of social realism in film are things such as bland interior settings and dull lighting in exterior settings. In addition they are giving a very naturalistic feel. A lot of modern films in social realism focus on thing such as violence, drug abuse and crime to show what the world around us today.