Classic Cinema versus Contemporary Cinema

Throughout this essay I will explain the main characteristics of the Cinema Industry. From the brith of cinema at the end of the nineteenth century to nowadays, Cinema has been transformed radically, from silent films in black and white to digital movies like “Avatar”. However, are contemporary films better than classic films?

The Development of technology has been really amazing. Today we can find in a film, things that for many years were only possible in the imagination of the most adventurous dreamers. “The Lord of the Rings”, “Avatar” and “Matrix” are examples of movies that are famous among a long list, which use very advanced technology in the creation of imaginary worlds full of life.

However, the seventh art not only recognizes the use of technologies, but the interpretation and description of human feelings. In the seventh art, the most important aspect is the interpretation of both, the actor and reality; the most fantastic stories are metaphors of society which the different directors create.

The most important thing is that technology opens the possibility of creating fantasy environments. Nowadays low budget films are filmed but with an extraordinary interpretative intelligence; “Dogville” by Lars von Trier is an example of that. That Film assembled in a small set with more theatrical than “cinematic” characteristics, describes in an intense way some instincts or conditions of the human being.

Moreover, a good movie is not only judged on how much technology is artfully used but also on the effect it has on the viewer. For example, one of the best films considered in classical cinema, is “Ladri di Biciclete” directed by Vittore de Sica in 1949. This film tells the story of a laborer without work during the postwar in Rome; this character, in order to survive, gets a job putting up posters. To do this, he needs a bicycle, but someone steals his bicycle. In company of his child this man experiences a series of misadventures in the struggle to bring food home.

In the end, the film closes with an incredible and very depressing shot, where hundreds of people, in the central square, are going about their daily activities; meanwhile, the main characters are lost in the middle of the crowd, allegorical scenes of the economic crisis and at the same time, making emphasis on the fact that Italy is still alive.

Meanwhile, in Contemporary Cinema “The Hurt Locker” directed by Kathryn Bigelow, is an American war thriller made the last year. The film narrates the activities of a bomb detection team (EOD, Explosive Ordinance Disposal) that belongs to the American Army in the Iraq War. This complex film describes a social and psychological problematic for U.S. soldiers in Iraq. It has perfect performances and an artistic and very careful editing.

In conclusion, both films will become part of the cinema history, because the most important thing is the interpretation of the world that we live in and dream in every day. I think that the best movies are those that transcend the years. But, I prefer to see Contemporary Cinema because they tell us about our stories and our world.