The Contexts of Film

Contexts of Film

Historical Context

Experimental Films from 1960-2000 were shaped by various global events, such as the Vietnam War, the civil rights movement, the fall of the Berlin Wall, and the advent of the digital era.
These films reflected the socio-political turmoil of the times, often expressing dissent, exploring human rights issues or questioning established norms.
They also align with the rise of postmodernism, challenging conventions, parodying traditions, and mixing media and genre.

Technological Context

Over these four decades, technological developments significantly influenced film-making. The availability of portable video cameras in the 1960s led to a surge in personal and avant-garde films.
In the late 1990s, the introduction of digital technology transformed film-making, with experimental filmmakers being able to create and distribute films more easily and cheaply.

Cultural Context

Many experimental filmmakers in this period focused on exploring aspects of identity politics, such as race, gender, and sexuality.
As societal attitudes towards these issues changed over the decades, experimental films provided a space to explore and challenge these shifting cultural values and beliefs.

Institutional Context

Financial constraints and the marginal status of experimental film often made the process of production and distribution challenging.
Experimental film lives at the edges of the commercial film industry, often funded by arts grants, and shown at film festivals, art galleries and non-profit screenings.

Aesthetic and Formal Context

Experimental films from 1960-2000 often reject traditional narrative and formal techniques, sometimes even defying clear categorisation in terms of genre, style or form.
These films are characterised by their innovative and creative approaches, which challenge and expand the formal limits of cinema.

In preparation for this topic, consider not just the film text, but the various contexts in which it was produced, disseminated, and received. Film does not exist in a vacuum; it’s a cultural work shaped and informed by multiple contexts. Contextual knowledge enhances understanding and interpretation.