Auteur Theory

Auteur Theory

• 1.
  Auteur theory Auteur filmDirector Is the ‘author’ not the writer Director’s style is distinctive and recognizableClear influence over the look, feel and language of the filmOrigins in French New Wave Cinema of the 1960s e.g. Truffaut Chabrol & GodardAuteur films tend to be more stylistically sophisticated and distinctive in terms of mise-en-scene.In an industry which is highly collaborative, the auteur-director has almost complete control over the film-making process Favours style over content; artistic expression over commercialism
• 2.
  Andrew Sarris:The strongdirector imposes his own personality on a film; the weak director allows the personalities of others to run rampant.Hitchcock, Kubrick, Orson Welles, Nicholas Roeg , Coen brothers are among the many who could be considered to be ‘auteur’-directors.Arguably, every director who has made a non-mainstream film could be defined as an ‘auteur’.A real auteur however is one who manages to combine commercial success with artistic merit
• 3.
  Criticisms of auteurtheoryEvery director has his/her own style of film-making; so every director could be considered an auteurIgnores the collaborative nature of film In favour of auteur theorysuccessful auteur-directors can stand up to producers and studio executives in the face of real commercial pressures to make genre films whose formula has been tried and tested in the market-place
• 4.
  TaskWatch any filmsby Tim BurtonTo what extent can they be described as ‘auteur’ filmsLook at: Distinctive style similar themes e.g. the misfit/ outsider Other recurring elements (actors, music etc) Gothic aspectsUse of animation