FAQ About The Cultural Evolution of Film Criticism
What role did film criticism play in the early cinematic era?
In the early cinematic era, film criticism was primarily about informing potential audiences about new films. Critics acted as gatekeepers of taste and interpreters of cinematic language for audiences unfamiliar with it. They shaped the emerging art form by advocating for storytelling, technical innovation, and artistic merit, influencing what audiences expected from cinema. This also set a precedent for debates around film as both entertainment and a legitimate art form.
