After WWII, a new age of cinema arrived, this age of film began the rise of foreign films. The Italian Neorealism and the French New Wave drove this era. Compared to the Golden Age, foreign films were more artistic, than most Hollywood films.
After the 1948 Supreme Court case with United States v. Paramount, Inc. major studios in Hollywood were no longer dominating theaters, instead independent and foreign filmmakers were taking over with “runaway” production; this is when films are made abroad or away from the studio. This way of producing films became cheaper and common, while also still being used today.
Many people know the 14th century renaissance; however, Italy had a second one towards the beginning of WWII. This film renaissance created the Neorealism movement. The movement focused on the nation, while also taking the day-to-day subject of a country’s traumatized political upheaval and war for each film.
The first film was Luchino Visconti’s “Ossessione” (1942; Obsession); however, fascist censors suppressed this film, so international audiences were not introduced to foreign film until Robert Rossellini’s “città, aperta” (1945: Open City).
With the introduction of Neorealism began the rise of the Nouvelle Vague or New Wave movement in France. This movement provided a training ground for young directors outside of the traditional industry system, which influenced independent production style of the movement.
Within these movements director’s films were now known as auteur. Auteur is when a film reflects the director’s artistic vision. This transition empowered directors to assume creative control, which brought a personal, thematic, and stylistic signatures to their works.
Unlike Hollywood’s filming techniques, foreign directors focused on the visual language, deep symbolism, and unconventional narrative pacing for their films. These directors also relied on cultural, social, and personal perspectives to drive the narrative.
Overall, foreign films defined its role by being a counter narrative to Hollywood with their artistic movements and recently dominating global pop culture through international hits. This once niche genre has now become a dominant force in modern streaming and awards, while being crucial for understanding cross-cultural.