New Hollywood

New Hollywood
source
Name	New Hollywood
Duration	1960s-1980s
Country	United States
Influences	French New Wave, Italian Neorealism
Influenced	Independent film, Blockbuster (entertainment)

New Hollywood was a cinematic movement that emerged in the 1960s and flourished until the 1980s, characterized by a new wave of innovative and daring filmmakers who challenged traditional Hollywood conventions. This period saw the rise of Martin Scorsese, Francis Ford Coppola, and Steven Spielberg, among others, who drew inspiration from European art cinema, such as the French New Wave and Italian Neorealism. The movement was also influenced by the Counterculture of the 1960s, with films often reflecting the social and political upheaval of the time, as seen in Easy Rider and Bonnie and Clyde. New Hollywood filmmakers frequently collaborated with Warner Bros., Universal Pictures, and Paramount Pictures.

Introduction to New Hollywood

New Hollywood was a response to the declining Hollywood studio system, which had dominated the film industry since the 1920s. The movement was characterized by a shift towards more personal and innovative storytelling, often incorporating elements of European art cinema and American independent film. Filmmakers like Arthur Penn and Sam Peckinpah pushed the boundaries of violence and realism in films like Bonnie and Clyde and The Wild Bunch, while others, such as Stanley Kubrick and Robert Altman, experimented with non-linear narrative structures and unconventional characters, as seen in 2001: A Space Odyssey and Nashville. The American Film Institute and the Film Society of Lincoln Center played a significant role in promoting and preserving the work of New Hollywood filmmakers.

Historical Context

The historical context of New Hollywood was marked by significant social and cultural changes, including the Civil Rights Movement, the Vietnam War, and the Counterculture of the 1960s. Filmmakers like John Cassavetes and Shirley Clarke drew inspiration from these events, creating films that reflected the anxieties and uncertainties of the time, such as Faces and The Connection. The Hollywood Blacklist and the Red Scare also had a profound impact on the film industry, leading to a brain drain of talented writers and directors, including Dalton Trumbo and Orson Welles. However, the Writers Guild of America and the Directors Guild of America worked to support and protect the rights of filmmakers during this period.

Notable Filmmakers

Some of the most notable filmmakers associated with New Hollywood include Martin Scorsese, Francis Ford Coppola, and Steven Spielberg, who all got their start during this period. Other influential filmmakers include Brian De Palma, George Lucas, and Terrence Malick, who all made significant contributions to the movement. Robert Redford and Warren Beatty were also key figures, not only as actors but also as producers and directors, with films like The Sting and Heaven Can Wait. The Sundance Film Festival and the Telluride Film Festival provided important platforms for these filmmakers to showcase their work.

Influential Films

Some of the most influential films of the New Hollywood era include The Graduate, Easy Rider, and The Godfather, which all helped to define the movement's themes and style. Other notable films include Chinatown, Jaws, and Taxi Driver, which showcased the innovative storytelling and technical expertise of New Hollywood filmmakers. Mean Streets and The Last Picture Show are also notable for their gritty realism and nuanced character studies, while Nashville and The Conversation demonstrated the movement's ability to experiment with non-linear narrative structures and unconventional characters. The National Film Registry has recognized many of these films as culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant.

Legacy of New Hollywood

The legacy of New Hollywood can be seen in the many filmmakers who have followed in its footsteps, including Quentin Tarantino, Paul Thomas Anderson, and Christopher Nolan. The movement's emphasis on innovative storytelling, visual style, and directorial autonomy has also influenced the broader film industry, with many studios now prioritizing independent film and blockbuster productions. The Sundance Institute and the Film Independent organization continue to support and promote the work of independent filmmakers, while the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and the Golden Globe Awards recognize excellence in filmmaking.

Key Characteristics

Some of the key characteristics of New Hollywood films include their emphasis on location shooting, handheld camera work, and improvisation. Many New Hollywood films also featured non-linear narrative structures and unconventional characters, as seen in The Killing of a Chinese Bookie and The King of Marvin Gardens. The movement's use of rock music and experimental sound design also helped to create a distinctive sonic landscape, as heard in American Graffiti and Apocalypse Now. The University of Southern California and the University of California, Los Angeles have both played a significant role in preserving and promoting the legacy of New Hollywood, with their film archives and academic programs. Category:Film movements