Ep 8. New Directors, New Form

As the film industry expanded globally, the directors who emerged as new voices emerged brought a fresh perspective to cinema. In episode 8 of "The Story of Film: An Odyssey" titled "New Directors, New Form," Mark Cousins takes the audience through the rise and evolution of new filmmakers and their innovative approaches to storytelling.

The episode opens with a discussion on the rise of independent cinema, particularly in the US, and how it paved the way for fresh talent to come forward. The introduction of digital filmmaking also played a significant role in the emergence of new voices who could make films on a smaller budget. The episode showcases two key figures who arose from this new independent realm, Richard Linklater and Gus Van Sant. Cousins discusses their styles and how they brought a sense of realism to their films. He delves into the works of Linklater's "Dazed and Confused" and "Waking Life," and Van Sant's "Elephant" and "Gerry," and shows how the films pushed boundaries and experimented with form.

Cousins then shifts to a discussion of world cinema and how new directors from various countries created films that were groundbreaking in form and content. He talks about the influence of Asian cinema, particularly the films of Wong Kar-wai and Hou Hsiao-hsien. The episode shows how their films, such as "Chunking Express" and "The Puppetmaster," respectively, had a unique style, focused on visual poetry and showcased the beauty of everyday life. The episode also touches on the works of Iranian filmmakers, such as Abbas Kiarostami and Jafar Panahi. Cousins explores the use of long takes, minimal dialogue, and the importance of settings in their films, such as Kiarostami's "Ten" and Panahi's "The Circle."

Moving to Europe, the episode features the Danish filmmaker Lars von Trier, focusing on his Dogme 95 movement. Cousins discusses how the movement sought to reject conventional filmmaking techniques and create stripped-down, raw films that were more authentic. He discusses the movement's manifesto and how it inspired directors internationally to produce films devoid of special effects, background music, and studio lights. The episode showcases clips from von Trier's "The Idiots," which follows a group of adults who pretend to be mentally disabled, and shows how the film was made under Dogme 95 guidelines.

With the emergence of new voices came a new wave of female filmmakers, and Cousins gives them significant importance in the episode. He showcases the works of Claire Denis, Lynne Ramsay, and Lucrecia Martel, highlighting how they brought an added perspective to storytelling. Cousins discusses the themes of isolation, violence, and power that run through their films, such as Denis's "Beau Travail," Ramsay's "Morvern Callar," and Martel's "The Holy Girl." He emphasizes how the female gaze played a significant role in shaping their films, showcasing the complexity of female characters and the nuance of their experiences.

Bringing the episode to a close, Cousins looks at how new directors bring a fresh breath of air into cinema and pave the way for storytelling to move forward. He concludes with a discussion of the rise of digital streaming and the new possibilities that it poses for filmmakers to produce, distribute and reach audiences worldwide, no matter where they're located.

Overall, "New Directors, New Form" is a fascinating episode, showcasing the rise of new talent from around the world and how their unique perspectives shaped cinema. It highlights the importance of innovation in storytelling and the significance of challenging conventional attitudes towards filmmaking.