Slow Cinema
Slow cinema is a form of lengthy, minimalistic art cinema which is often devoid of a strong narrative structure in favour of contemplative long takes and developed atmosphere. The films are, as the name would suggest, far slower in pace than the average mainstream cinema. Shots are long, sometimes more than an hour apiece, comparatively much greater than the average several second shot one might see in an Action-heavy movie. The concepts of slow cinema are akin to the beliefs held within the broader slow movement.
Many examples of slow cinema are found rooted in the ideas and techniques of art cinema of the 1970s. The films of Andrei Tarkovsky are especially seen as a strong influence, particular Stalker (1979). Ingmar Bergman, Michelangelo Antonioni, and Alexander Sokurov are also directors whose earlier films left an impact on the ideas of slow cinema. The works of Béla Tarr, particularly Satantango (1994) and Werckmeister Harmonies (2000) brought attention to the idea of slow-moving movies with loose narratives told through atmosphere rather than relying heavily on dialogue.
While not isolated to a specific time period or regional movement, slow cinema is generally more common in non-English speaking countries. Lav Diaz of the Philippines is noted for his works Melancholia (2008) and Norte, the End of History (2013); Pedro Costa of Portugal directed Colossal Youth (2006) and Horse Money (2014); and Greece's Theo Angelopoulos directed Eternity and a Day (1998), another film seen as an influence on others within slow cinema. Films capturing the essence of the ideas within slow cinema began to rise in the 1990s, becoming more common and noted by the 2010s.
Many examples of slow cinema are found rooted in the ideas and techniques of art cinema of the 1970s. The films of Andrei Tarkovsky are especially seen as a strong influence, particular Stalker (1979). Ingmar Bergman, Michelangelo Antonioni, and Alexander Sokurov are also directors whose earlier films left an impact on the ideas of slow cinema. The works of Béla Tarr, particularly Satantango (1994) and Werckmeister Harmonies (2000) brought attention to the idea of slow-moving movies with loose narratives told through atmosphere rather than relying heavily on dialogue.
While not isolated to a specific time period or regional movement, slow cinema is generally more common in non-English speaking countries. Lav Diaz of the Philippines is noted for his works Melancholia (2008) and Norte, the End of History (2013); Pedro Costa of Portugal directed Colossal Youth (2006) and Horse Money (2014); and Greece's Theo Angelopoulos directed Eternity and a Day (1998), another film seen as an influence on others within slow cinema. Films capturing the essence of the ideas within slow cinema began to rise in the 1990s, becoming more common and noted by the 2010s.
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