Births on April 18

André Bazin, French critic and theorist (d. 1958)

André Bazin (pronounced [bazɛ̃]), a towering figure in the realm of cinematic thought, was an exceptionally renowned and profoundly influential French film critic and film theorist. Born on April 18, 1918, his relatively brief life, which concluded on November 11, 1958, was nonetheless packed with intellectual rigor and groundbreaking contributions that reshaped how films were understood and discussed.

Bazin embarked on his journey as a film writer in 1943, a period when France, and indeed the world, was grappling with the profound changes brought about by World War II, setting the stage for a new intellectual and artistic awakening. His dedication to cinema culminated in a foundational role: he was a co-founder of the highly esteemed film magazine Cahiers du cinéma in 1951. This seminal publication, established alongside Jacques Doniol-Valcroze and Joseph-Marie Lo Duca, quickly became a crucible for innovative film criticism and theory, laying much of the groundwork for what would later become the French New Wave.

Bazin's Core Theories: The Primacy of Realism

At the heart of André Bazin's theoretical framework was his compelling argument that realism stands as the most vital function of cinema. For Bazin, cinema possessed an inherent capacity to capture and present reality in a way no other art form could. He believed that the film camera, by its very nature, offered an objective lens, capturing the world without the subjective intervention of a painter or writer.

Key Pillars of Bazin's Realism:

• Objective Reality: Bazin advocated for filmmaking techniques that minimized overt manipulation, allowing the "reality" within the frame to speak for itself. This wasn't merely about documenting life, but about presenting it in a way that preserved its natural ambiguity and complexity.
• Deep Focus: A technique where both the foreground, middle ground, and background are simultaneously in sharp focus within a single shot. Bazin championed deep focus because it allows the spectator to explore the frame, to choose where to direct their attention, much like in real life. This contrasts sharply with shallow focus, which directs the viewer's eye to a specific point, or montage, which dictates the pace and sequence of visual information. Orson Welles’s Citizen Kane (1941) is often cited as a prime example of deep focus cinematography that Bazin greatly admired.
• Lack of Montage: Bazin was famously critical of excessive montage, particularly the Soviet montage theories of the 1920s and 1930s which relied on cutting and juxtaposing shots to create specific meanings and manipulate audience perception. Instead, he championed the long take, allowing events to unfold in continuous time and space within the frame, thereby preserving the temporal and spatial integrity of the depicted reality. This approach, for Bazin, respected the integrity of the event and the freedom of the viewer.

Ultimately, Bazin's call for these specific cinematic approaches was deeply linked to his belief that the interpretation of a film or a particular scene should be primarily left to the spectator. He saw the audience not as passive recipients of pre-determined meaning, but as active participants in the cinematic experience, engaging with the presented reality and deriving their own conclusions. This philosophy stood in stark contrast to the prevailing film theory of the 1920s and 1930s, which often emphasized how cinema could actively manipulate reality, construct meaning through editing, and guide the viewer's emotional and intellectual response.

Bazin's Enduring Legacy

André Bazin’s ideas profoundly influenced a generation of filmmakers and critics, most notably the directors of the French New Wave (Nouvelle Vague). Figures like François Truffaut, Jean-Luc Godard, Éric Rohmer, Claude Chabrol, and Jacques Rivette, many of whom were writers for Cahiers du cinéma under Bazin's tutelage, absorbed his theories and integrated them into their revolutionary filmmaking practices. His work continues to be a cornerstone of film studies, sparking ongoing debates about the nature of cinematic reality, the role of the spectator, and the ethical responsibilities of the filmmaker.

Frequently Asked Questions About André Bazin

Who was André Bazin?

André Bazin was a highly influential French film critic and theorist, active from the 1940s until his death in 1958. He is considered one of the most significant figures in the development of modern film theory.

What is André Bazin best known for?

He is primarily known for co-founding the seminal film magazine Cahiers du cinéma and for his film theories emphasizing realism, objective reality, deep focus, and the importance of leaving interpretation to the spectator.

What was his main theory about cinema?

Bazin's central theory posited that realism is the most crucial function of cinema. He believed film should aim to preserve the ambiguity and integrity of reality rather than manipulating it through artificial cinematic techniques.

What is "deep focus" and why was it important to Bazin?

Deep focus is a cinematographic technique where all planes of depth (foreground, middle ground, background) within a shot are simultaneously sharp. Bazin valued it because it allows the viewer to actively explore the frame and choose their point of focus, thus engaging more directly with the "reality" of the scene, much like in actual perception.

How did Bazin's views differ from earlier film theories?

He diverged significantly from earlier theories (pre-1940s) that often celebrated cinema's ability to manipulate reality through techniques like montage to construct specific meanings or emotional responses. Bazin, conversely, advocated for techniques that preserved objective reality and allowed for audience interpretation.

What is Cahiers du cinéma?

Cahiers du cinéma is a highly influential French film magazine co-founded by Bazin in 1951. It became a vital platform for film criticism and theory, and a launching pad for many directors of the French New Wave.

Who did Bazin influence?

Bazin profoundly influenced a generation of filmmakers and critics, most notably the directors associated with the French New Wave, including François Truffaut, Jean-Luc Godard, and others who were originally writers for Cahiers du cinéma.