The History of Film

This episode is a little smaller in scope than usual. But like one my great podcasting heroes, my ambition for this show is to tell the history of film without any gaps. We cover two examples of an important, though ultimately short lived, sub-genre: The Patriotic Melodrama. We discuss and analyze the 1916 film Alsace, directed by Henri Pouctal, and the 1917 Mothers of Frances, directed by René Hervi .

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In this episode we cover just how, exactly, American cinema came to dominate Europe in the wake of WW1. We take a look at the economic practices that facilitated the "invasion" of American cinema onto French screens. We also examine one picture in particular, The Cheat, which exemplifies the technical sophistication of U.S. national cinema, and that film's reception by the City of Lights.

If you would like to email me you can do so at historyoffilmpodcast@gmail.com

History of Film Discord: https://discord.gg/Ud8EcEzvSF
Letter Boxed: https://boxd.it/3cZn3

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This week we cover the effect of The War on the French film Industry. While The Conflict's Titanic needs did a real number on French production, it did also help develop a new kind of documentary filmmaking: The Newsreel, which was then put to work in service to the Republic.

If you would like to email me you can do so at historyoffilmpodcast@gmail.com

History of Film Discord: https://discord.gg/Ud8EcEzvSF
Letter Boxed: https://boxd.it/3cZn3

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This episode reexamines some topics we have already looked at, but this time as context for one of history's greatest butcheries, rather than as pure film history. The development of cinema is intertwined with the forces that defined the 20th century. Today we explore how the First World War and the movies are cut from the same fabric, as we set the stage for some of the screen's greatest epochs -- German Expressionism, French Impressionism, Soviet Montage, and the Golden Age of American Silent Film. All that is tied up in The War, so let's start our journey facing it head-on. 

-Jake

If you would like to email the show, you can do so at historyoffilmpodcast@gmail.com.

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The History of Film Podcast has been on Haitus since May of 2022. This announcement officially ends that. Let's get back to it!

If you have any ideas on how I can improve the show, you can email me at historyoffilmpodcast@gmail.com.

See you soon!

-Jake!     

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