In this blog post, we’ll take a close look at why this genre evokes empathy and catharsis in audiences—and what social functions lie hidden within it—by examining the background and history of melodrama, its components, and its modern variations. The Concept and Origins of Melodrama The Concept of Melodrama Melodrama is a genre that literally means “sung drama,” and it is a...
What genre does ‘Maison de Himiko’ belong to?
In this blog post, we’ll examine the characteristics of the “drama” genre and the emotional message conveyed by the film ‘Maison de Himiko’. Genre Characteristics of Drama The term “drama” itself has become a widely used expression in South Korea that is conventionally categorized as a genre, rather than a genre with a clearly defined definition. Just as the ballad has...
Why Did ‘The Rocky Horror Picture Show’ Become a Cult Classic?
In this blog post, we’ll explore ‘The Rocky Horror Picture Show’ and the appeal and background of cult films. Introduction — A Bizarre and Absurd Movie The Rocky Horror Picture Show is a truly bizarre and utterly absurd movie. Throughout the film, my friend and I kept exchanging glances at the strange scenes and bursting into laughter several times; my friend was amazed...
Romantic Comedy: An Inherent Limitation?
In this blog post, we’ll take a step-by-step look at how the romantic comedy genre internalizes a male-centered perspective, using representative works as examples. Romantic Comedies and Their Historical Background Romantic comedies are a genre that many audiences enjoy without feeling any pressure. In fact, a 2004 survey of moviegoers in Seoul found that romance and melodrama were the...
How has the history of the romantic comedy unfolded?
In this blog post, we’ll summarize the major trends and characteristics of the genre, from the emergence of screwball comedy to the evolution of modern romantic comedy. The Hollywood Landscape of the 1930s By the early 1930s, the American film industry was built on relatively solid ground. Despite the global economic downturn of the late 1920s, the number of films produced actually...
Are Romantic Comedies Progressive or Conservative?—What Differences Do ‘Legally Blonde’, ‘Juno’, and ‘My Boyfriend’s Romance’ Reveal?
In this blog post, I’ll analyze how the progressive and conservative aspects of romantic comedies—in terms of content and themes—are revealed in ‘Legally Blonde’, ‘Juno’, and ‘My Boyfriend’s Romance’. The Concept and Characteristics of Romantic Comedies A romantic comedy is, quite literally, a genre that combines romance and comedy; while the surface...
How Do the Documentary ‘Dong’ and the Feature Film ‘Still Life’ Break Down Genre Boundaries?
In this blog post, we compare Jia Zhangke’s documentary ‘Dong’ and his feature film ‘Still Life’ to examine how these two works blur the lines between documentary and fiction. Film Introduction ‘Dong’ is a documentary by director Jia Zhangke that follows the creative process of Chinese contemporary painter Liu Xiaodong. Set against the backdrop of demolition work at the Three Gorges Dam...
Documentary Review – My Personal Perspective on Pina Bausch’s Dance
In this blog post, I will explain why I chose Wim Wenders’ documentary ‘Pina’ and share my thoughts on the film. Reasons for My Choice 1. While taking a Western dance history class this semester, I happened to see Pina Bausch’s ‘Full Moon’, and it was a revelation. I felt a strong desire to watch that piece again in high-quality video. 2. I have a friend from high...
This is not graffiti. Could you please recycle this?
In this blog post, I will examine the structure of the film, the relationships between characters, and the narrative device that reverses the roles of observer and subject, focusing on Banksy’s documentary ‘Exit Through the Gift Shop’. Thoughts on the Documentary Genre A documentary is an attempt to directly address reality, not fiction. Even when trying to convey reality as it...
‘Dreaming Camera: What Do Children Born in a Red-Light District Have to Say?’
In this blog post, I will summarize my impressions and analysis of the documentary ‘Dreaming Camera: Born in a Red-Light District’, which won the 2004 Sundance Audience Award. Beginning the Analysis When I first encountered this film, the title alone gave me a rough idea of its content, but the sight of the children smiling brightly on the poster struck me as a strange...