- Source: City symphony
City symphony is a film genre encompassing documentary, experimental, and the avant-garde that emerged in the 1920s. 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. As the art of cinema became more respected, 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.
Emergence
The term city "symphony" suggests a musically inclined editing pace and harmonious imagery to support the visual images. 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. 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.
City symphony films made during the 1920s-1930s were before the era of sound cinema, however images were also supported by orchestral accompaniments.
City symphonies, which continued well into the post-WWII era, are usually associated with the rise in art film as well as contemporaneous trends in art and photography movements like modernism.
Notable works
Below are some popular city symphony works, not all-encompassing.
London Symphony (2017) - By Alex Barrett
Water and Power (1989) - By Pat O'Neill
Koyaanisqatsi (1983) - By Godfrey Reggio
Stations of the Elevated (1981)
Manhattan (1979) - By Woody Allen
News from Home (1977) - By Chantal Akerman
Organism (1975) - By Hilary Harris
2 or 3 Things I Know About Her (1967) - one of a few fictional city symphony films; directed by Jean-Luc Godard
Castro Street (1966) - By Bruce Baillie
Go, Go, Go (1964) - Marie Menken
Bridges Go Round (1958) - By Shirley Clarke
Broadway by Light (1958) - By William Klein
N.Y., N.Y. (1957) - By Francis Thompson
Together (1956)
Daybreak Express (1953) - By D.A. Pennebaker
Abstract in Concrete (1952)
In the Street (1948)
The City (1939) - By Ralph Steiner and Willard Van Dyke
The aforementioned A Bronx Morning (1931)
A propos de Nice (1930) - Jean Vigo's take on Nice, France and the inequalities surrounding it.
Skyscraper Symphony (1929) - By Robert Florey
Rain (1929) - Joris Ivens's take on Amsterdam
Man with a Movie Camera (1929) - A pioneering experimental film by Dziga Vertov, showcasing urban life in various Soviet cities through innovative cinematic techniques.
Berlin: Symphony of a Great City (1927) - By Walter Ruttmann, a silent documentary capturing the rhythm and vitality of everyday life in 1920s Berlin.
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.
References
See also
Modernist film
The Great Depression
Minimalist film
Bibliography
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.
Kata Kunci Pencarian:
- Quad City Symphony Orchestra
- Orkestra Simfoni Sydney
- Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center
- City Recital Hall
- Penghargaan Grammy ke-60
- Pantai Indah Kapuk
- Symphony X (album)
- Penghargaan Grammy ke-55
- Hong Kong
- Penghargaan Grammy ke-53
- City symphony
- Kansas City Symphony
- Leopold Stokowski
- Documentary film
- Van McCoy
- Sage City Symphony
- Berlin: Symphony of a Metropolis
- List of symphony orchestras in the United States
- Quad City Symphony Orchestra
- Symphony No. 9 (Dvořák)
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