When The Movies Mattered: The New Hollywood Revisited

The Birth of New Hollywood

The 1960s and 1970s are often referred to as the Golden Age of Hollywood. It was a time when a new generation of filmmakers emerged, challenging the traditional studio system and ushering in a wave of creativity and innovation. This period, known as New Hollywood, redefined cinema as we know it and forever changed the way we view movies.

Unlike the classic Hollywood era, where studios held full control over the filmmaking process, New Hollywood directors began to push boundaries and experiment with new storytelling techniques. They focused on more realistic and socially conscious narratives, tackling taboo subjects such as racism, war, and corruption. Directors such as Martin Scorsese, Francis Ford Coppola, and Steven Spielberg became the faces of this revolution.

When the Movies Mattered: The New Hollywood Revisited

by Belle Yang (Kindle Edition)

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Language	:	English
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Breaking the Mold

During the New Hollywood era, filmmakers were given more creative freedom, resulting in the production of groundbreaking and thought-provoking films. Movies like “The Godfather,” “Taxi Driver,” and “Jaws” captured the attention of audiences worldwide and left a lasting impact on the industry.

What made New Hollywood stand out was its ability to resonate with the changing times. The filmmakers connected with audiences on a deeper level, addressing their anxieties and hopes for the future. The movies mattered because they brought relevant stories to the forefront, sparking conversations and challenging societal norms.

The Legacy of New Hollywood

Although the New Hollywood movement eventually faded, its influence continues to shape cinema today. Many of the filmmakers who emerged during this period went on to become industry legends, creating some of the most iconic films of all time.

The impact of New Hollywood is also evident in the movies we see today. Filmmakers around the world continue to push boundaries and experiment with innovative storytelling techniques. The spirit of rebellion and creativity that defined New Hollywood lives on.

When Movies Truly Mattered

Looking back at the New Hollywood era, it is clear that movies played a vital role in shaping culture and society. The films of this period mattered because they challenged conventions, sparked debates, and opened doors for future generations of filmmakers.

The legacy of New Hollywood reminds us of the power of cinema to inspire, provoke, and entertain. It reminds us of the importance of storytelling and how movies can bring about social change. In an age where blockbusters dominate the box office, revisiting the New Hollywood era allows us to appreciate the artistry and the impact of films that were made when the movies truly mattered.

When the Movies Mattered: The New Hollywood Revisited

by Belle Yang (Kindle Edition)

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	3069 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	321 pages

FREE

In When the Movies Mattered Jonathan Kirshner and Jon Lewis gather a remarkable collection of authors to revisit the unique era in American cinema that was New Hollywood. Ten eminent contributors, some of whom wrote about the New Hollywood movement as it unfolded across the 1960s and 1970s, assess the convergence of film-industry developments and momentous social and political changes that created a new type of commercial film that reflected those revolutionary influences in American life.

Even as New Hollywood first took shape, film industry insiders and commentators alike realized its significance. At the time, Pauline Kael compared the New Hollywood to the "tangled, bitter flowering of American letters in the 1850s" and David Thomson dubbed the era "the decade when movies mattered." Thomson's words provide the impetus for this volume in which a cohort of seasoned film critics and scholars who came of age watching the movies of this era reflect upon and reconsider this golden age in American filmmaking.

Contributors: Molly Haskell, Heather Hendershot, J. Hoberman, George Kouvaros, Phillip Lopate, Robert Pippin, David Sterritt, David Thomson