Alternative films
Friday 12 February 2010
There is more to film than just action and rom-com blockbusters. Why not try an underground film instead?
Japanese animation
Anime, or ‘Japanimation’, is a term used to define animated productions from Japan.
Anime films reflect cultural aspects of the Far East, including countries such as Japan, Taiwan, South Korea and Hong Kong.
The oldest known anime was first screened in 1917 and was two minutes long and featured a samurai brandishing his sword. Nowadays, anime films usually revolve around sci-fi, and adventures in far out lands and superheroes.
Some of the most popular anime productions are 'Pokemon', 'Dragon Ball' and 'Sailor Moon'. Often they’re compared to manga print books, Japan's equivalent to comic books, because they feature speech bubbles and story panels.
Disney recently signed a deal with a Japanese studio, so don’t be surprised if you see more anime films on the big screen. Their first project together will be a Japanese version of 'Lilo and Stitch'.
The London Movie Comic & Media Expo is taking place from 29th-30th May. The event will be screening some of the latest anime films!
One to watch: 'Ponyo' and 'Astro Boy'.
Zombie horror
Back in the day, the British film industry was known for its horror flicks. ‘The Ghoul’ (1933), which went through many cuts before it was screened in cinemas, and ‘The Curse of Frankenstein’ (1957) were two of the most well known Brit horrors. The filmmakers used traditional scare tactics like gothic themes and heightened colour schemes to set up gory blood scenes.
British horror has gone through a major revamp recently with a new wave of British zombie films such as '28 Days Later'. This film used a cool style of digital filming that created a hyper-realistic look. A similar style was used to create 'Colin', which was told through a zombie’s point of view. Director Marc Price used a hand-held camera for every shot and it only cost him £45 to make!
One to watch: The 10 Pound Horror Film - find out how to get involved.
The simple life
Independent films a.k.a 'indies', are known for their character-driven plots rather than big-budget action sequences.
Don't be fooled though - they're anything but dull. As indie films aren't tied to big production studios, filmmakers can try out different techniques. Remember 'The Blair Witch Project'? This indie was shot using a simple hand-held camera which gave the impression of a homemade video.
Filmmakers also have the freedom to cover controversial topics which you’d rarely see in a blockbuster. They're also able to follow their original vision with little restriction. Some independent filmmakers are recognised for the style of their films, such as Quentin Tarantino. There's always a lot of action and foul language in his movies.
One to watch: 'Fish Tank'.
A song and dance
Musical films feature singing, dancing and light-hearted fun.
They use songs to drive the storyline and develop the film’s characters. However, most people don’t watch these kinds of films for their storylines, which are usually predictable - they watch them for the spectacle. Musical films normally feature massive sets, extravagant costumes and choreographed dance routines.
One of the most popular musical films is 'Grease', which reached no.1 on Channel 4’s list of 100 Greatest Musicals.
One to watch: Look out for live stage musicals like 'Wicked' on the big screen!
