Social Realism in the

British Context

Presented by Candice Russell

Social realism is an international artistic

movement, which references the work of:

Painters

Printmakers

Photographers

Filmmakers

These artists express their visual ideas of social life to include

the injustices and economic hardship that are constantly

experienced within society, by the poor and working classes.

These texts are often described as:

Gritty Raw Slice of life View of life as it really is

Social realism is a term that is often used uncritically and

indiscriminately in popular film criticism. However, it is quite

often used interchangeably with other realism terms, without

a thought about the context and the rationale behind it.

Working class realism Kitchen sink realism

The background factors that helped to create the context

within which the realist impulse first developed were the social

and structural change of the nineteenth century. This was due

to the birth of the Industrial revolution, as workers migrated

from the country to the towns and cities. Along with the

pressures of society new socialism and communism political

views were established.

The development of realism in this century was debated to allow

for expression and representation.

Literature was hugely at the centre of critical discussion and this paved the way for critical realism.

Scholars could not agree with the definition of the term ‘realism’, as there was no universal explanation. Therefore, it was decided that it would represent different aspects of life, as it is lived in the present.

Carroll, suggested that the term ‘realism’ should only be used with a prefix

Neo-

Social

Documentary

This would then highlight the specific historical point in time and place.

By the end of the nineteenth century, literature, theatre and the fine arts were using realist principles, and the development of photography meant that realism in the sense of

‘now’ or

‘life as it is lived’

could be captured.

Film was established as photography became more main stream

within the arts.

The devices used to enhance and produce movies gave added

dimensions to realist creations and the realism of that moment in

time.

Sound was the last element in film to be established.

Once sound was implemented into the film, it was able to

combine with the visual and in return this made the overall viewing

experience more realistic.

There was a common quest shared by all media.

The quest was to present the truth and truth as it was.

However, there was a problem with ‘Truth’

Truth can have many variations, depending on the way it is perceived.

Kracauer was a film theorist and he believed that film was extremely capable of representing the real.

He also believed that there should be no interference from other cunning devices and this was also expressed in Zola’s notion of naturalism.

Both Kracauer and Zola wanted accurate details of the present with no exaggeration.

Siegfried Kracauer

Emile Zola

Gerhardie believed that the goal of naturalism was to bring back an impression of real life, through characteristics of things that are associated with real life.

Bazin stated that ‘there is not one, but several realisms’. Therefore, each era has its very own form of realism.

Bazin argued that audiences should be allowed to establish their own realism within realist film texts and the employed, correct use of shot techniques would allow audiences to do this.

All these approaches commonly seek to represent the truth through codes and conventions that have become regularly associated with realism.

Gerhardie

Andre Bazin

Branston and Stafford stated that the realistic nature of most Hollywood film would be realistic in setting, characterisation and situation. However, other realist texts differentiate as they employ one of two characteristics by the film maker.

One would be to show in full detail, the experience of an actual event. The other characteristic would be to convey a message or argument about the social world through known realist conventions, such as location, characters and camera techniques.

The tem social realism is difficult to define, because the ‘now’

is continually changing and evolving and what could be defined

as social realism last year would differ from social realism

events of the historical past.

The theorist Hill states that realist ideas are linked to those

from the past. By exposing reality and by believing what has

been done before, will be believed again.

Furthermore, Samantha Lay said that a key feature of realist

texts is the way a place and character are linked, so that

aspects of contemporary life are identified as a form of

naturalism.

Hallam and Marshment explain this

defining characteristic, as the

effects of environmental factors on

the development of a character. This

element would then illustrate and

emphasise the relationship between

location and identity.

In addition to this Lowenstein sees social realism

texts as contemporary moments of social crisis or

conflict.

Raymond Williams explains that there are four criteria for

defining realist texts:

Criteria Explanation

1. Secular Free from religious and spiritual matters, subsequently

the realist texts are seen as reason and logic.

1. Firmly in the

contemporary

scene

In terms of setting, mise -en s-cene, character and

social issues.

1. Social extension To extend a range of topics and characters and to

include under-represented groups and issues in society.

1. Intent of the artist Not to influence their own political agenda.