The History Of The Cinema Genres

Published Date: 02 Nov 2017

The genre can categorize films according to their themes, including the theme of the scenario. Some films that obey rules which are more or less strict are sometimes referred to under the name of genre films. The most popular most common and identifiable film genre categories are as followed; Action Films, Adventure Films, Animated Films, Comedy Films, Documentary Films, Drama films, Horror films, Martial Arts films, Romance films, Science fiction films, Teen films, Thriller films and War films.

Action Films

The action film is a type of film that depicts a succession of spectacular scenes often stereotyped (run chases, shootings, explosions ...) built around a conflict is resolved in a violent manner, usually by the death of the hero's enemies. The action movie is essentially related to popular cinema. Many of those works ends with a "happy ending" and based on elements familiar to the general public (hero strong and brave, attractive female character with which it has a connection, wicked infamous second role humorous, etc.). Often criticized action films to grant only minor importance to the psychological depth of their characters (Parent-Altier, 1997) and based on stereotypical plots that are, in some works, an excuse for spectacular scenes (Towne, 2000)

Adventure Films

The adventure film is a film genre characterized by the presence of either a fictional hero or not, who pulls his status of myth that inspires the particular action that takes place, the use of special decorations, the time lag in relation to contemporary as well as improbabilities characterizing and his desired eccentricity, all conveying a general idea of ​​exoticism. The adventure film borders on very large since it includes other film genres like westerns and science fiction (Dirks, 1996)

Comedy films

Comedy Films are designed to bring laughter from the audience. Comedies simple dramas, created to be fun, entertain, and arise happiness. The comedy genre exaggerates the situation, the language, the action, and characters with humour. ‘Observing the negatives and frustrations of life, comedies provide a momentary escape from day-to-day life.’ They usually have happy endings, although the humour may have a serious or pessimistic side (Dirks, 1996).

Drama Films

The drama is a film genre that deals with generally non-epic situations in a serious context which is more likely to inspire sadness than laughter. However, etymologically drama evokes action. Generally, a drama is based on a scenario with the least humour possible dealing a serious theme (death, misery, rape, abuse ...) which can be painful, revolting; injustice. It can be based from history (with themes like the Holocaust) or the news. However Drama should not be confused with tragedy - which hardly exists in cinema, except for adaptations of novels or plays - and always ends up in death of at least one protagonist (Romeo and Juliette). The drama can be very close to the disaster movie (Titanic). ‘Although dramatic films have often dealt frankly and realistically with social problems, the tendency has been for Hollywood, especially during earlier times of censorship, to exonerate society and institutions and to blame problems on an individual, who more often than not, would be punished for his/her transgressions.’ (Dirks, 1996)

Horror Films

The horror movie or horror film is a genre whose goal is to create a feeling of fear and / or anxiety in the viewer. The horror film in its essence is to dissociate the thriller genre which corresponds more to a kind designed to bring some tension in the viewer, or fantasy film that brings a notion of the supernatural without having intended to cause fear. Movies involving zombies, vampires, ghosts, demonic forces or werewolves also include classics.

‘Horror Films are unsettling films designed to frighten and panic, cause dread and alarm, and to invoke our hidden worst fears, often in a terrifying, shocking finale, while captivating and entertaining us at the same time in a cathartic experience’ (Dirks, 1996)

Romance Films

The Romance film is a film that has a love story or a love affair, highlighting the passion, emotion and affective involvement of the main characters. We talk sometimes, more precisely, "romance" or "romance film." The plot is primarily a love story lived by the main characters or the quest for love of the characters. It is often a question that the characters are found in bad situation such as ‘facing obstacles and the hazards of hardship, financial problems, illness, racial or social class status, or family that threaten to break their union and attainment of love’ (Dirks, 1996).

As in all love stories, there are the tensions of everyday life, infidelity and incompatibility of characters appear into the plot.

Science Fiction Films

Science fiction is a literary and cinematographic narrative mainly structured by assumptions about what could be the future or what could have been the present or even the past (distant planets, parallel worlds, alternate history, etc.). Based on current knowledge (scientific, technological, anthropological, etc.), it distinguishes itself from fantastic that includes an unexplainable dimension and fantasy often involving magic. (Dirks, 1996)