Genre Research (Week One)

 Genre Research Part 1

    Our film "Her Slow Disappearance", follows the genre of Drama. Some of the common elements shared across the genre are:

• plot
• character
• theme
• setting 
• conflict

  These this are also combined with more theatrical aspects such as:

• dialogue
• action
• symbolism
• mood
• technical elements

Drama has been a long standing genre that has influenced many famous plays and movies since the 6th century BCE. Some films that really define this genre are:

• The Godfather (1972): Explores family, power, and corruption within the American mafia.
• Citizen Kane (1941): A landmark film known for its innovative narrative structure and exploration of a powerful man's life.
• Schindler's List (1993): A poignant historical drama about the Holocaust, celebrated for its emotional weight and historical significance.
• The Shawshank Redemption (1994): A story of hope, friendship, and perseverance in a harsh prison environment.
• One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975): Focuses on rebellion and sanity in a mental institution, featuring iconic performances.
• Raging Bull (1980): A raw portrayal of boxer Jake LaMotta's self-destructive life, known for its intense performances.
• Forrest Gump (1994): A journey through American history from the perspective of a simple man. 
• Death of a Salesman (Arthur Miller): A quintessential American tragedy about the failure of the American Dream.
• A Streetcar Named Desire (Tennessee Williams): Explores desire, illusion, and the harsh realities faced by Blanche DuBois.
• Shakespearean Tragedies (Hamlet, Macbeth, King Lear): Foundational works that delve into ambition, revenge, madness, and mortality. 

Six sub-genres that exist within drama would be:

1. Tragedy: Focuses on serious subject matter, featuring a protagonist with a fatal flaw (hamartia) who experiences a downfall or suffers a disastrous ending.
2. Comedy: Designed to amuse, this genre features lighter themes, misunderstandings, and typically ends happily, often with a resolution that restores order.
3. Melodrama: Emphasizes heightened emotion, exaggerated characters, and dramatic, action-packed plots that clearly pit good against evil.
4. Tragicomedy: A blend of both tragedy and comedy, often featuring a serious plot that takes a lighter turn, or a lighthearted story with intense, somber moments.
5. Farce: A type of comedy that aims to entertain through highly exaggerated, improbable situations, physical humor, and fast-paced misunderstanding.
6. Historical Drama (or History Play): Focuses on recreating or reimagining significant historical events or periods, often focusing on the lives of famous figures.