Film Theory is a branch of film studies that focuses on the analysis, interpretation and critical evaluation of films. It examines how different elements of filmsuch as mise-en-scène, cinematography, editing and sound designare used to communicate meaning and affect viewers. The main goal of Film Theory is to deepen our understanding about how films work, both technically and narratively. In addition to analyzing individual movies, Film Theory can be used to explore broader issues such as genre, authorship, culture and ideology in cinema. Film Theory has its roots in the early 20th century when scholars began applying literary theories such as Marxism to the study of cinema. In the 1960s and ’70s there was an explosion in Film Theory as scholars began exploring new methods for understanding movies. One influential theorist was French critic André Bazin who championed realism in film and helped define auteur theory which looks at how directors use particular techniques or themes to create a personal style. In the 1980s another surge in Film Theory occurred with the advent of New Wave approaches such as feminism, psychoanalytic theory, postmodernism and queer theory. These theories challenged traditional views on gender roles or sexuality portrayed on screen while also examining how filmmakers manipulate audience emotions through editing or sound design (e.g., jump scares). Today many universities offer courses on Film Theory which cover topics such as aesthetics/film language; mise-en-scène; narrative structure; editing; genre; authorship/auteur theory; ideology/politics/criticism; culture/history etc.. There are also numerous books written about various aspects of Film Theory which can help you gain an even deeper understanding about filmmaking techniques or philosophy behind certain movies.
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