The Problem with Genre

So you’re probably thinking that if films follow the same generic blueprint, why aren’t all films exactly the same?

Genre films tend to change, tend to evolve. In fact some theorist suggest that genre follow cycles: they are born, become popular, are overused and become predictable (even cliche), are parodied and then die….They are then reborn and freshly articulated for a new generation (think La La Land).

Task 1:

So let look at a film, which at first glance appears to be clearly within one genre:

• Which genre does this film belong to?
  • What features of the scene point to it being a that genre?
• Why might it not belong in the that genre?
  • What ingredients from other genres did George Lucas steal and mix into the film?

Help: If you’re stuck this is a great article on genre and why perhaps Star Wars doesn’t fit fully into the science fiction genre. Click on image and search (Cntl F) ‘Star Wars’ and see what it has to say about the film’s genre.

Task 2:

Watch this film clip and discuss what genre(s) it seems to fit into…

• What features of the scene point to it being a that genre? Does it look like a film from the same genre as Star Wars?

Extension Viewing on Blade Runner