ÉCU-The European Independent Film Festival

by Anne Marie

“Independent cinema is cinema produced outside of big studios with a
small to medium budget” – such is the definition of independent
cinema. Contrary to many other definitions, independent cinema is
defined not by what it is, but by its opposition to the cinema of big
Hollywood machines. This is, in fact, how independent cinema was born.

The birth of a new film label.
It was in the United States, in the 50′s, that independent cinema first
appeared, when a handful of directors decided to oppose the dictates
of the major Hollywood studios and create a new label for cinema. At
first , it was called ‘New York cinema’ to mark its resistance to
Hollywood, then ‘underground cinema’ and even ‘avant-garde cinema’.
Independent cinema was distinguished by its style, its themes, its
small budgets and the names and faces of unknown actors, because at
that time, the blockbusters being made in Hollywood were being driven
by economic demands.

Sensational Hollywood cinema.
With the advent of television, cinema saw its supremacy decline. With
falling attendance in cinema halls, Hollywood needed to make something
sensational, a great show. This is when blockbusters appeared. Borrowed
from the jargon of the theater world, the term meant a huge hit with
big budgets, major technical and human resources, which aimed to make a
huge profit and be something exceptional. But despite its predilection
for big shows, Hollywood could not deny the existence of independent
cinema which was attracting a growing number of viewers as time went on.

An independent label difficult to defend.
Although independent film remained isolated until the 80′s, it then saw
the appearance of great talents amongst filmmakers which managed to
appeal to more viewers. Finally, independent cinema was getting a
special place on the film scene. Faced with the undeniable success of
films made ​​with real talent and offering truly original works, major
Hollywood studios had no choice but to engage with the so-called
independent film production. From that time on the split between
independent cinema and Hollywood studios started to diminish or,
arguably, even disappear altogether.

Unclear Independence:
In recent years, there has been a constant coming and going of actors
and directors between the two worlds, and the border has become very
blurred. Now free from the labels of major studios, an independent film
is best identified by its distribution network. However, as it is not
distributed and advertised by large corporations, independent cinema
always needs to be supported by a variety of festivals and associations
of independent filmmakers. Because of this cinema will always remain a
cradle for new talent. Filmmakers will continue to create movies with
alternative and controversial messages, for it is from this huge pool of
talent and creativity that cinema as a whole will continue to draw
inspiration and develop.

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