what is arthouse????

Most often, this term is attributed to narrative films with stylistic uniqueness, usually owing to the author(s)'s vision or technique. These are often called "arthouse films" and may include foreign-language films (non-english), independent and non-mainstream films, as well as documentaries and short films. The producers of art films seek a niche audience rather than mass appeal and usually present their work at specialty theatres and film festivals in cities

kalpan

Arthouse texts

The blair witch prodject

Moulin rouge

City of god

Bullet boy

Pulp fiction

Crash

Kill bill

Amores perros

Y tu mamá también

Little nicky

Man with a Movie Camera

kalpan

FEEBACK

Key words

• Auteur theory- Tarantino films (opposes the genre theory)
• hollywood- uncreative
• conventions
• repitition (steven Neil)
• arthouse films- original/unique/artistic recognition
• Hyperdermic model
• Pluralism
• audience- active/passive

ARGUMENT

The Genre Debate

Hollywood produces repetitive, formulaic and unimaginative genre movies that pander to 'dumbed down' audiences and this means that independent, art-house films are all that is worth watching.

The Argument:

• Hollywood films are largley either sequels, remakes or book adaptations e.g. "Lord of the Rings" and "Scream Trilogy"- this uses a formulaic and repetitive storyline
• Art-house films are artistic and forever changing, the only conventions are those that are interpreted by the audience themselves
• Hollywood is a money driven institution- Arthouse films are made for artistic recognition
• Hollywood market their films with an endless budget whereas arthouse films use new and innovative ways to get the film heard about e.g. word-of mouth in "Blair Witch Project"
• Hollywood is 'dumbed-down'. Formulaic and repetitive films suggests a passive audience, injected by the institutions ideologies- hypodermic needle model. Arthouse audience is active, suggesting pluralistic society
• Arthouse celebrates artistic differences and leaves an active audience to interpret the text in their own way