British Social Realism

characteristics
By Habon Ali.
What is British Social
Realism?
British Social Realism (BSR) is where filmmakers and directors focus on real life issues in
British society. This means that they draw attention to the everyday lifestyles and living and
work conditions of the poor in society across the country. BSR covers the social concerns that
are seen in British society that are often ignored by mainstream film-making. However, it is
now becoming more recognised by British audiences as film-makers represent the realistic
conditions and lifestyles that British citizens live in. This attracts audiences who want stories
that make apolitical difference that audiences can relate to.

Therefore the themes that British social realism cover may be drugs, violence, gangs, money
and crime. This style of film-making would come across these themes to relate and showcase
the working class and poor citizens way of day to day life.
The history and influences of
British social realism.
It is believed that the British social realism has highly inspired by the Italian
Neo realism, also known as the Golden Age of Italian Cinema, phase in Italy
which had occurred during 1944 1952. Italian Neo realism genre came about
in cinemas during the end of World War II, which represented the changes in
the Italian conditions after the war which shows the everyday life, which
includes the oppression, injustice, poverty and desperation. This had then lead
towards becoming very known towards audiences from Europe including
Britain.
The shots that Italian neorealism decided were locations of rural areas as well
as rundown and undeveloped cities due to the post-war era. They also decided
Open City directed by Roberto Rossellini was developed the principals
to use un known characters to play the roles of these type of genre films, which
of neorealism, which represents the struggles and hardships amongst
showcases what
the similarity in characteristics
Italian people had to live by onthe way
a day to British social
day basis. Thisrealism
film alsois
distributed was
by nominated
filmmakers. for the best adapted screenplay Oscar at the 19 th
academy awards.
Vittorio De Sica (1948) The Bicycle Thieves is also a
represent the neorealism genre by the story that
distribute the struggles of the of the working class life
after the war, as well as the non-professional actors that
play the characters.
 The history and the influences
of British social realism
British social realism has also been heavily inspired by the group of radical film-
makers called the British New Wave. This trend was developed by the filmmakers
as well as the directors in Britain in the late 1950s and 1960s, which developed
short films. The British New Wave was translated from the French term Nouvelle
Vague.

This was the overlap of the New Wave and the Angry Young Men era, This was the
formed of when various of British films and theatres John Osborne with Director Tony
Richardson aimed towards challenging the social status within the country. They
have developed films which gain much attention to the reality of the lives of the
working classes, majority of it being in northern England. It was usually stated to be
as its grim up north. These films portrayed drama which was focused towards the
The Loneliness
gritty everydayof the Longwhich
lifestyle, Distance
was Runner
known isas( the
1962) directed
kitchen sinkbydrama.
Tony
Richardson ,is a film based tells the story of a rebellious youth who was
taken and sentenced to an approved school named borstal for his
burgling a bakery who gains privileges in the institution by his talent
and skills of progression as a long distance runner.
 British Social Realism timeline
Millions Like Us (1943
Titfield Thunderbolt
This Happy Breed (1944)
Rescued by Rover (1953)
directed by Lewin
Fitzhamon, in 1905.

Serve (1942),
This happy breed (1944) The blue lamp (1950)
 British Social Realism Timeline
Poor Cow and Kes (1969) Ladybird Ladybird The Full Monty Sweet Sixteen (2002)
(1994) (1997)

Raining Stones (1993)

Saturday Night and Secrets & lies A room for Romeo All or nothing
Saturday Morning (1996) Brass (1999) (2002)
(1960)
 British Social Realism timeline
Fish tank Ill Manors
This is England (2009) (2012)
(2006)

Attack the Brotherhood (2016)

Bullet boy Sifty (2008) block (2011)
(2004)
 British Social realism Production
Companies

Film 4 productions is a well

BBC Films helps to produce the feature
recognised British film The Crown Film Unit used to be an
filming for the BBC. BBC films was
production company organisation as a part of the British
founded in 1990. It has produced as well
founded in 1998, that is Governments Ministry of information
as co-produced some of the most
owned by channel four during the second world war.
successful British films of recent years
television cooperation. Film Formerly known as the GPO Film
;Including Truly, madly, Deeply, Alan
4 has a huge control of Unit, it transitioned towards the
Partridge: Alpha papa, Quartet, Chef.
making sure that they are Crown Film Unit in 1940 and
Salmon Fishing in Yemen, Saving
backing large number of disbanded in 1952. It was make
Mr.Banks, My Week with Mariyn, Jane
films made in the United films for audiences in Britain and
Eyre, In the loop, An Education,
Kingdom as well as around abroad. Its output included short
StreetDance SD, Fish Tank, Nativity!, Iris,
the world. films and longer drama
Notes on a Scandal, Billy Elliot and
documentaries as well as a few
Brooklyn.
The Film 4 first production drama productions. During this time,
was Walter (1982) which the crown unit continued to produce
BBC Films co-produces around eight films