This is England as British Social Realism Film Research Paper

This is England as British brotherly Realism Film - Research Paper ExampleSocial Realism in British Films beginning of all, let us find out what realism in general is. Realism has been defined by Armes In its broadest sense, realism is an attitude of mind, a craving to adhere strictly to the truth, recognition that man is a social animal, and a conviction that he is inseparable from his position in a society (Armes 17). Artistically, Social Realism is a term that can be applied to the arts in general. Namely, as an artistic movement that found its expression in respective(a) arts, social realism focuses portraying issues related to social injustice or racial intolerance, with emphasis on protest against the depicted unjustness often conveyed with the succor of satire. It is worth mentioning that social realism in visual and some other arts focuses on the issues related to the life and activity of the working class. In films, social realism is perceived as a style that evolved fr om the 20th century movement of Italian neorealism. Lay observes that one of the key features of this style is its providing an intricate fall in between the character and the place to enable exploring a certain aspect of modern life in a way that is very similar to realness (Lay 9). According to Williams, the pivotal characteristics of the films/texts representing British Social Realism are 1) its secular character. In other words, social realist texts are devoid of mysticism and appeal only to logic and ability to reason. Consequently, such texts/films come to focus on depicting human truths rather than divine truths 2) the grounding of social issues, characters, and films settings in the context of contemporaneous reality. 3) the social extension aspect. To specify, realist texts tend to expand the range of characters to include marginal or previously under-represented groups and issues in society (Williams 61-74) 4) the intent of the artist that is often politically colored. To illustrate, the filmmakers intent in British Social Realism may have reformist, socially purposive, as well as educative underpinnings (Lay 13). As for the contents of the films representing the discussed genre, the latter usually revolve around certain issues and themes. To distinguish between issues and themes within the film referred to as a social realist one, one involve to bear in mind the major difference between them the issues are of explicit nature they are easily recognized and visible fears and concerns currently worrisome the society while themes are usually implied and hide within a given text. As Lay rightfully observes, Themes work on a overmuch deeper level and represent less obvious threats to social cohesion and stability (Lay 14). In addition, in terms of its contents, the social realist film will most in all likelihood deal with the issues of drugs, poverty, prostitution, sex, alcoholism, as well as crime. All in all, if one were to name the important features of a film representing British social realism, he/she would plausibly come up with the following list realistic portrayal of the society the Britishmen live in Lifes struggles Realistic events, contexts, situations, and realistic settings Filming techniques that may be classified as believable Unknown actors Heroes representing