Events 1922 – The Toll of the Sea debuts as the first general release film to use two-tone Technicolour. The Gulf Between was the first film to do so, but it was not widely distributed.
On This Day … 26 November
What is a Yakuza Film?
Introduction Yakuza film (Japanese: ヤクザ映画, Hepburn: Yakuza eiga) is a popular film genre in Japanese cinema which focuses on the lives and dealings of yakuza, Japanese organised crime syndicates. Early Films In the silent film era, films depicting bakuto (precursors to modern yakuza) as Robin Hood-like characters were common. They often portrayed historical figures who… Read More
What is a Police Crime Drama?
Introduction The police procedural, or police crime drama, is a subgenre of procedural drama and detective fiction that emphasises the investigative procedure of a police officer or department as the protagonist(s), as contrasted with other genres that focus on either a private detective, an amateur investigator or the characters who are the targets of investigations.… Read More
What is a Mystery Film?
Introduction A mystery film is a genre of film that revolves around the solution of a problem or a crime. It focuses on the efforts of the detective, private investigator or amateur sleuth to solve the mysterious circumstances of an issue by means of clues, investigation, and clever deduction. Background The plot often centres on… Read More
What is a Mafia Film?
Introduction Mafia films – a version of gangster films – are a subgenre of crime films dealing with organised crime, often specifically with Mafia organisations. Especially in early mob films, there is considerable overlap with film noir. Popular regional variations of the genre include Italian Poliziotteschi, Chinese Triad films, Japanese Yakuza films, and Indian Mumbai… Read More
What is a Hood Film?
Introduction Hood film is a film genre originating in the United States, which features aspects of urban African Americans or Hispanic-American culture – such as hip hop music, street gangs, honour killings, racial discrimination, organised crime, gangster, gang affiliation scenes, gangsta rap, broken families, drug use and trafficking, illegal immigration into the US and the… Read More
What is a Girls with Guns Film?
Introduction Girls with guns is a subgenre of action films and animation – often Asian films and anime – that portray a female protagonist who makes use of firearms to defend against or attack a group of antagonists. The genre typically involves gun-play, stunts and martial arts action. Films The 1985 Hong Kong film Yes,… Read More
What is a Heroic Bloodshed Film?
Introduction Heroic bloodshed is a genre invented by Hong Kong action cinema revolving around stylised action sequences and dramatic themes such as brotherhood, duty, honour, redemption and violence that has become a popular genre used by different directors worldwide. Origin The term heroic bloodshed was coined by editor Rick Baker in the magazine Eastern Heroes… Read More
What is a Gangster Film?
Introduction A gangster film or gangster movie is a film belonging to a genre that focuses on gangs and organised crime. It is a subgenre of crime film, that may involve large criminal organisations, or small gangs formed to perform a certain illegal act. The genre is differentiated from Westerns and the gangs of that… Read More
What is an Action Film?
Introduction Action film is a film genre in which the protagonist or protagonists are thrust into a series of events that typically include violence, extended fighting, physical feats and frantic chases. Screenwriter and scholar Eric R. Williams identifies action films as one of eleven super-genres in his screenwriters’ taxonomy, claiming that all feature length narrative… Read More
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