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Writer's picturerichardmcafee

Exploring the British, social realist films




That’s me in the profile pic. Hi!

Over the past decade, I’ve dived into world cinema, soaking up various movements from the last century and how stories are told through different perspectives and styles. I keep coming back to the British New Wave, which feels bias and awkward since I’m British and most of the time, we tend to avoid discussing ourselves, but it’s fascinating to me how we tackle socialism in our films so so well. Even 50s films like "A Taste of Honey connects well with issues we face today. I see many parallels in the British New Wave, the shift in attitudes over the decades, the changing landscapes in film, and the common thread of resisting oppression.

Ultimately, to me, it’s about everyday life, I wrote down some favs, In. no particular order :-


Andrea Arnold

Red road, Fish tank, American Honey

Aside from her television projects, her films often delve into the lives of young, emotionally charged individuals who are navigating their aspirations within the constraints of working-class environments. A great entry point into her filmography is Fish Tank.

Arnold's films create a captivating blend of reality and artistry, utilizing both professional and non-professional actors, with a mix of scripted and improvised scenes. They are shot in authentic settings, enhanced by the poetic touch of her frequent cinematographer, Robbie Ryan. Her film feels more like a moment captured than a traditional shoot to "set the tone", all against the gritty backdrop of east London during a summer. Her american debut American Honey is covered with British trends, and it works so well, the film is flat out brilliant.


Alan Clarke

Penda’s fen, Rita, Sue and Bob too, Scum, Made in Britain

The Director who Made in Britain created films that were not only exceptional but extremely unsettling but also innovative, establishing a benchmark for future filmmakers. While many perceive Clarke as a proponent of raw social realism, I feel his works exhibit remarkable sophistication. He's never onesided, even against the evilness of humanity. Clarke feels the unique kind who is intimately and organically familiar with these environments, rather than studying merely through casual conversations.


Lynne Ramsay

Rat catcher, We need to talk about Kevin

Her creations seem deeply personal, frequently exploring themes such as grief, guilt, death, and its consequences. The narratives are minimal in dialogue and explicit exposition, characterized by originality and provocation, resulting in an experience that is both intimate and unsettling. Ramsay often blends professional and non-professional actors in her projects. Rat catcher is hard to locate, but look hard.... it's well worth the hunt!


Charlotte Wells

Aftersun

A 90's vacation is a pivotal point in Sophie's coming of age. It's also a heartbreaking portait of a young Dad trying to hide his own struggles from his daughter. It's down to the individual viewer for when the themes come into play, when you realise this it hits you hard. The happy Birthday scene is an absolute day runier!! it's perfectly executed through writing and acting. Brilliant character study through imagery, it's fully aware the audiance is a smart crowd.

Wells won outstanding debut at the 2023 BAFTAS....hooray!


Clio Barnard

The selfish giant, the Arbor

Known for both documentary and feature films. Her debut film, The Arbor, showcasing the life of Bradford playwright Andrea Dunbar through an experimental lens which offers something quite different. Utterly refreshing and insightful to witness, But in 2013, she emerged as a prominent talent in British cinema with her film The Selfish Giant, with more gritty honesty to give her own Loach status. Featured at the Cannes Film Festival, This is always a thrilling space for significance.


Asif Kapadia

Senna, Amy, madonna

Uses archival footage and new personal testimonies to present a powerfully honest look at the twisted and dangerous relationship between artists, celebrities, and the media.

Amy is the one to watch!


Joanna Hogg

The Eternal daughter, The souvenir 1n2

British filmmaker Joanna Hogg has put out three films, with "The Souvenir" being the first of two that stand out. Hogg slightly expands her usual small-scale approach while still maintaining the intimate feel of her earlier projects, creating a beautiful semi-autobiographical story that explores themes of youth, love, and cinema. Th eternal daughter is a great experimentinh horror where it's gothic/folk routes shine


Mick Jackson

JUST WATCH THREADS!


Ken Russel

The devils, altered states, Women in love

Ken Russell is often regarded as one of the most controversial British directors, known for his audacious style that sparks extensive discussion during his era. started with docs and biopics for art-focused television programs, where he primarily explored the lives of composers and artists. This followed over to his mainstream films. The true brilliance of Russell's work lies not in the narratives themselves but in his innovative storytelling techniques. In addition to his focus on artists, Russell boldly tackled themes of sexuality, often presenting graphic depictions that were groundbreaking for their time. His adaptation of D.H. Lawrence's provocative novel Women in Love stirred significant controversy, paving the way for even more unconventional projects. Notable films in his extensive career include Altered States, a psychedelic science fiction piece, and his most notorious work, The Devils, which delved into the sexual exploits of depraved nuns. While his filmography may be uneven, Russell's contributions to cinema are undeniably significant, offering a unique avant-garde perspective.


Steve McQueen

Small axe, shame

McQueen employs techniques such as editing, framing, and extreme close-ups to craft dramatic and enigmatic scenes. His debut major film, Bear presents a physical confrontation between two naked men, utilizing camera angles and shots to explore their ambiguous relationship. Very much the same way Shame is executive.

He gained widespread recognition for 12 Years a Slave, a historical adaptation of a slave narrative memoir, which earned him the Academy Award for Best Picture, making him the first black filmmaker to achieve this honor. In other artistic mediums, Small Axe.

A collection of five films by McQueen inspired by real-life events about ordinary people showing courage, belief, and resilience to overcome injustice. Mostly during the 60's and 80's.


Alex cox

Repo man, Sid and Nancy

Punk Film director, screenwriter, author, and occasional actor, recognized for his unique style and scriptwriting approach. He achieved early success with films like Repo Man and Sid and Nancy, he shifted his focus to independent films with progressively smaller budgets, advocating for the greater creative freedom that lower production costs can provide.

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