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(Tried launching this discussion thread in "Reasoned Debate", but perhaps it wasn't political enough ..., so here it is now where it obviously belongs ... 
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I would love to hear your opinions on the value of *** Cinematography *** ...:
My observation is that films are treated more as 'industrial products' in the Anglo-American world and more as 'expressions of art' (even as part of the "High Culture" at par with theatre) by most Continental Europeans.
Look at the festivals. Those that culturally matter are the renowned festivals here like Cannes, Venice, San Sebastian, Berlin, Moscow. Or, at least they are outside the US and UK if you count Havanna and Toronto and Montreal. The only noteworthy American festival within the US to which artistic films from the US are sent is SUNDANCE which is still somewhat marginal. American Cinema- which exists (!) - actually goes to Europe each year, to Deauville mainly, to Cannes and Berlin to launch more ambitious major productions there!
All noteworthy works of "cinema" (I provokingly make the distinction here) from the US ornate themselves with overseas laurels taken at these festivals to advertise themselves to their own viewers in America.
How do people here personally view cinematographic creations?
Are they products? And are they as such part of your culture like tennis shoes, coffee-to-go, mobility, Valentine cards and something you just enjoy? Or more like something you consider an essential part of your cultural life, something that one more or less has to be in touch with, like feeling an obligtion to read certain sections of the NYT, if you don't want to be discounted? Is having seen a movie enough or being able to discuss its techniques, dramatic structures etc a part of it or not?
I have the impression that in America the motion picture production is considered a powerful and vital industry, whereas in most of our countries in Europe movies are seen as part of THE Arts and, in case of France, part of the National cultural identity.
This difference also makes it a political issue. Regularly there is considerable pressure from America on European governments to give up film funding, arguing this support distorts the competition for US movies (which have pocketed up to 90% of the market here, anyway). Whereas for the Europeans it is about protecting identity and her own little industry (some of the best of which then go to America anyway).
Please note: it is not about good or bad approaches. I think in either appreciation form there is LOVE for the wonderful world of, err, projected moving images.
) I would love to hear your opinions on the value of *** Cinematography *** ...:
My observation is that films are treated more as 'industrial products' in the Anglo-American world and more as 'expressions of art' (even as part of the "High Culture" at par with theatre) by most Continental Europeans.
Look at the festivals. Those that culturally matter are the renowned festivals here like Cannes, Venice, San Sebastian, Berlin, Moscow. Or, at least they are outside the US and UK if you count Havanna and Toronto and Montreal. The only noteworthy American festival within the US to which artistic films from the US are sent is SUNDANCE which is still somewhat marginal. American Cinema- which exists (!) - actually goes to Europe each year, to Deauville mainly, to Cannes and Berlin to launch more ambitious major productions there!
All noteworthy works of "cinema" (I provokingly make the distinction here) from the US ornate themselves with overseas laurels taken at these festivals to advertise themselves to their own viewers in America.
How do people here personally view cinematographic creations?
Are they products? And are they as such part of your culture like tennis shoes, coffee-to-go, mobility, Valentine cards and something you just enjoy? Or more like something you consider an essential part of your cultural life, something that one more or less has to be in touch with, like feeling an obligtion to read certain sections of the NYT, if you don't want to be discounted? Is having seen a movie enough or being able to discuss its techniques, dramatic structures etc a part of it or not?
I have the impression that in America the motion picture production is considered a powerful and vital industry, whereas in most of our countries in Europe movies are seen as part of THE Arts and, in case of France, part of the National cultural identity.
This difference also makes it a political issue. Regularly there is considerable pressure from America on European governments to give up film funding, arguing this support distorts the competition for US movies (which have pocketed up to 90% of the market here, anyway). Whereas for the Europeans it is about protecting identity and her own little industry (some of the best of which then go to America anyway).
Please note: it is not about good or bad approaches. I think in either appreciation form there is LOVE for the wonderful world of, err, projected moving images.
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