City symphony
City symphonies emerged in the 1920s, a unique genre of film emerged encompassing documentary, experimental, and the avant-garde.[1] Coming to prominence alongside modernist art movements such as futurism, constructivism, and radicalism, city symphonies reflect the historical development of city centers and technological hubs of advancement.[2] As the art of cinema became more respected and auteurist, filmmakers such as Walter Ruttman and Dziga Vertov gravitated towards works highlighting the beauty of cities, aiming to capture scenes of modern life from their narrative points of views.[1]
Emergence[edit]
The term city "symphony" suggests a musically inclined editing pace and harmonious imagery to support the ____. Many city symphony filmmakers shot their films with an artistically inclined eye, aiming to show urban hubs with aestheticism and beauty rather than as a travel log.[3] Cities across the world such as Manhattan, Berlin, and Milan were filmed in admiration with positive images of their hardworking people and impressive industrial feats. Rather than have characters, dialogue, or narrative, the city itself was the star of these films.[3]
Made in the 1920s up until the 1930s, city symphony films were before the era of sound cinema, however images were supported by orchestral accompaniments.
City symphonies are usually associated with the rise in art film as well as contemporaneous trends in art and photography movements like modernism.[1]
Notable works[edit]
Below are some popular city symphony works, not all-encompassing.
- The City (1939) - By Ralph Steiner and Willard Van Dyke[4]
- The aforementioned A Bronx Morning (1931)[4]
- Berlin: Symphony of a Great City (1927) - By Walter Ruttmann, a silent documentary capturing the rhythm and vitality of everyday life in 1920s Berlin.[5]
- Skyscraper Symphony (1929) - By Robert Florey[4]
- Man with a Movie Camera (1929) - A pioneering experimental film by Dziga Vertov, showcasing urban life in various Soviet cities through innovative cinematic techniques.
- Manhatta (1922) - Directed by Paul Strand, a picturesque experimental film showcasing the vast infrastructure and ingenuity of one of New York's most industrial and advanced cities of the time.[4]
References[edit]
- ^ a b c Weinberg, Herman (2018-07-20). The City Symphony Phenomenon. Routledge. p. 271. doi:10.4324/9781315619989-62.
- ^ MUBI Collection: CITY SYMPHONIES|MUBI
- ^ a b Hutchinson, Pamela (2017). "Where to begin with city symphonies". BFI. Retrieved 2024-02-20.
- ^ a b c d The City Symphony Phenomenon: Cinema, Art, and Urban Modernity Between the Wars - Routledge
- ^ The sound of silent s: is it time to revive the 'city symphony' film genre?|Cities|The Guardian
Bibliography[edit]
- Gartenberg, Jon (2014). "NY, NY: A Century of City Symphony Films". Framework: The Journal of Cinema and Media. 55 (2): 248–276. doi:10.13110/framework.55.2.0248. ISSN 0306-7661. JSTOR 10.13110/framework.55.2.0248.
- Webb, Michael (1987). "The City in Film". Design Quarterly (136): 1–32. doi:10.2307/4091166. ISSN 0011-9415. JSTOR 4091166.