Smith Chapter 4

Summary

Genres are categories of films which guide audiences choosing what to watch or consume. Each genre has a set of fairly consistent expectations for how the events of a film within the genre should unfold, producing a level of predictability while leaving room for some variation. For each genre, there exists a set of codes, or recognizable components and characteristics, that filmmakers work with to create stories. These include certain specific types of characters, images, narrative situations, settings, styles, and themes. Genre is also used by critics to analyze films and how they fit into certain definitions of genre categories. Within an entire work of film or television that fits into a specific genre, there are modes of expression which invoke certain feelings or emotions not directly tied to the genre, allowing filmmakers to not be bound by genre expectations. Some argue that genre should not be considered something inherent within film or television, but rather categories that are socially constructed by the way audiences engage and talk about media.

Example

This reading reminded me of a YouTube video I recently watched on the genre of “magical realism,” where elements of magic/fantasy are combined with realist storytelling. The video gave examples of the genre such as the movie The Killing of a Sacred Deer by filmmaker Yorgos Lanthimos, which I watched last year and really enjoyed.

Connection

The video and the film mentioned above highlight many of the things Smith writes about on genre. The video discusses how within the genre of magical realism, filmmakers work with a set of codes or expectations, drawing from elements of realism and fantasy to create something entirely unique. The Killing of a Sacred Deer, described as a psychological horror, had moments that invoked different feelings of horror, suspense, humor, and tragedy, consistent with Smith’s discussion of “modes.”