{{Short description|Film genre encompassing documentary, experimental and the avant-garde}} [[File:Jay Leyda - A Bronx Morning (1931).webm|thumb|thumbtime=760|''A Bronx Morning'' by Jay Leyda, a 1931 short film documenting the Bronx]] '''City symphony''' is a film genre encompassing documentary, experimental, and the avant-garde that emerged in the 1920s.<ref name=":03">{{Cite book |last=Weinberg |first=Herman |date=2018-07-20 |title=The City Symphony Phenomenon |page=271 |doi=10.4324/9781315619989-62 |publisher=Routledge}}</ref> Coming to prominence alongside modernist art movements such as futurism, constructivism, and radicalism, city symphonies reflect the historical development of city centers and technological hubs of advancement.<ref>[https://mubi.com/en/us/collections/city-symphonies MUBI Collection: CITY SYMPHONIES|MUBI]</ref> As the art of cinema became more respected, filmmakers such as Walter Ruttman and Dziga Vertov gravitated towards works highlighting the beauty of cities, aiming to capture scenes of modern life from their narrative points of views.<ref name=":03"/>
== Emergence == The term city "symphony" suggests a musically inclined editing pace and harmonious imagery to support the visual images. Many city symphony filmmakers shot their films with an artistically inclined eye, aiming to show urban hubs with aestheticism and beauty rather than as a travel log.<ref name=":13">{{Cite web |last=Hutchinson |first=Pamela |year=2017 |title=Where to begin with city symphonies |url=https://www.bfi.org.uk/features/where-begin-with-city-symphonies |access-date=2024-02-20 |website=BFI |language=en}}</ref> Cities across the world such as Manhattan, Berlin, and Milan were filmed in admiration with positive images of their hardworking people and impressive industrial feats. Rather than have characters, dialogue, or narrative, the city itself was the star of these films.<ref name=":13"/>
City symphony films made during the 1920s-1930s were before the era of sound cinema, however images were also supported by orchestral accompaniments.
City symphonies, which continued well into the post-WWII era,<ref name="citysymphoniesgartenberg">[https://www.gartenbergmedia.com/city-symphonies-1 CITY SYMPHONIES - Gartenberg Media Enterprises]</ref><ref>[https://www.filmlinc.org/films/program-3-the-postwar-city-symphony-part-2/ Program 3: The Postwar City Symphony, Part 2 - Film at Lincoln Center]</ref> are usually associated with the rise in art film as well as contemporaneous trends in art and photography movements like modernism.<ref name=":03"/>
== Notable works == Below are some popular city symphony works, not all-encompassing. * ''London Symphony'' (2017) - By Alex Barrett <ref name="where to begin city symphonies"/><ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2014/sep/26/city-symphony-silent-films-genre-barbican The sound of silents: is it time to revive the 'city symphony' film genre?|Cities|The Guardian]</ref> * ''Water and Power'' (1989) - By Pat O'Neill<ref>[https://www.loc.gov/today/pr/2008/08-237.html "Cinematic Classics, Legendary Stars, Comedic Legends and Novice Filmmakers Showcase the 2008 Film Registry"] ''News from the Library of Congress'' (30 December 2008)</ref> * ''Koyaanisqatsi'' (1983) - By Godfrey Reggio<ref name="theurbanlandscape">[https://scalar.usc.edu/works/landscape-screening-series/city-symphonies The City Symphony - The Urban Landscape - Screening Series by Topiary Landberg]</ref> * ''Stations of the Elevated'' (1981)<ref>[https://www.nightflightplus.com/videos/stations-of-the-elevated/64304fab37b2f300015b7dea Stations of the Elevated|Night Flight Plus]</ref> * ''Manhattan'' (1979) - By Woody Allen<ref name="where to begin city symphonies"/> * ''News from Home'' (1977) - By Chantal Akerman<ref name="Dennis Lim's 10">[https://www.criterion.com/current/top-10-lists/363-dennis-lims-top-10 Dennis Lim's Top 10|Current|The Criterion Collection]</ref> * ''Organism'' (1975) - By Hilary Harris<ref name="theurbanlandscape"/> * ''2 or 3 Things I Know About Her'' (1967) - one of a few fictional city symphony films; directed by Jean-Luc Godard<ref name="where to begin city symphonies">[https://www.bfi.org.uk/features/where-begin-with-city-symphonies Where to begin with city symphonies|BFI]</ref> * ''Castro Street'' (1966) - By Bruce Baillie<ref name="citysymphoniesgartenberg"/> * ''Go, Go, Go'' (1964) - Marie Menken<ref name="postwarcitysymphony"/> * ''Bridges Go Round'' (1958) - By Shirley Clarke<ref>[https://www.nashvillescene.com/arts_culture/film_tv/shirley-clarkes-once-banned-independent-film-i-the-connection-i-remains-hard-stuff/article_49661d78-5ef8-53d1-b269-da348780716c.html Shirley Clarke's once-banned independent film ''The Connection'' remains hard stuff - nashvillescene.com]</ref> * ''Broadway by Light'' (1958) - By William Klein<ref>[https://www.anendlessbanquet.com/an-endless-passion/2019/1/14/city-symphonies-anthology-film-archives-january-2019 City Symphonies, Anthology Film Archives, January 2019 - an endless banquet]</ref> * ''N.Y., N.Y.'' (1957) - By Francis Thompson<ref name="citysymphoniesgartenberg"/> * ''Together'' (1956)<ref name="where to begin city symphonies"/> * ''Daybreak Express'' (1953) - By D.A. Pennebaker<ref name="postwarcitysymphony">[https://www.filmlinc.org/films/program-2-the-postwar-city-symphony-part-1/ Program 2: The Postwar City Symphony, Part 1 - film at Lincoln Center]</ref><ref>[https://www.criterion.com/current/posts/8464-avant-garde-visions-of-new-york Avant-Garde Visions of New York|Current|The Criterion Collection]</ref> *''[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLVGUpWB5yI Abstract in Concrete]'' (1952)<ref>[https://greg.org/archive/2014/07/25/abstract-in-concrete-1952-the-making-of.html Abstract in Concrete (1952), The Making Of - Greg.org]</ref> * ''In the Street'' (1948)<ref name="citysymphoniesgartenberg"/> * ''The City'' (1939) - By Ralph Steiner and Willard Van Dyke<ref name="citysymphonyphenomenon">[https://www.routledge.com/The-City-Symphony-Phenomenon-Cinema-Art-and-Urban-Modernity-Between-the-Wars/Jacobs-Hielscher-Kinik/p/book/9780367459475 The City Symphony Phenomenon: Cinema, Art, and Urban Modernity Between the Wars - Routledge]</ref> * The aforementioned ''A Bronx Morning'' (1931)<ref name="citysymphonyphenomenon"/> * ''A propos de Nice'' (1930) - Jean Vigo's take on Nice, France and the inequalities surrounding it.<ref name="centuryofcitysymphonies">[https://povmagazine.com/a-century-of-city-symphonies/ A Century of City Symphonies - POV Magazine]</ref> * ''Skyscraper Symphony'' (1929) - By Robert Florey<ref name="citysymphonyphenomenon"/> * ''Rain'' (1929) - Joris Ivens's take on Amsterdam<ref>[https://mediacommons.org/intransition/rain-phenomenal-catalogue Rain: A Phenomenal Catalogue|(in)Transition]</ref> * ''Man with a Movie Camera'' (1929) - A pioneering experimental film by Dziga Vertov, showcasing urban life in various Soviet cities through innovative cinematic techniques. * ''Berlin: Symphony of a Great City'' (1927) - By Walter Ruttmann, a silent documentary capturing the rhythm and vitality of everyday life in 1920s Berlin.<ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2014/sep/26/city-symphony-silent-films-genre-barbican The sound of silents: is it time to revive the 'city symphony' film genre?|Cities|The Guardian]</ref> *''Rien que les heures'' (1926) - Directed by Alberto Cavalcanti * ''Manhatta'' (1922) - Directed by Paul Strand, a picturesque experimental film showcasing the vast infrastructure and ingenuity of one of New York's most industrial and advanced cities of the time.<ref name="citysymphonyphenomenon"/>
== See also == *Modernist film *The Great Depression *Minimalist film
== References == <references />
== Bibliography == * Dähne, Chris : ''Die Stadtsinfonien der 1920er Jahre. Architektur zwischen Film, Fotografie und Literatur'' (Kultur- und Medientheorie), Bielefeld: transcript 2013 * {{Cite journal |last=Gartenberg |first=Jon |date=2014 |title=NY, NY: A Century of City Symphony Films |journal=Framework: The Journal of Cinema and Media |volume=55 |issue=2 |pages=248–276 |doi=10.13110/framework.55.2.0248 |issn=0306-7661 |jstor=10.13110/framework.55.2.0248}} *Steven Jacobs, Eva Hielscher, Anthony Kinik (eds.): ''The City Symphony Phenomenon: Cinema, Art, and Urban Modernity Between the Wars'' (Afi Film Readers), New York: Routledge 2021 (Paperback) * {{Cite journal |last=Webb |first=Michael |date=1987 |title=The City in Film |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/4091166 |journal=Design Quarterly |issue=136 |pages=1–32 |doi=10.2307/4091166 |jstor=4091166 |issn=0011-9415|url-access=subscription }}
{{Film genres}}
Category:Documentary film genres Category:Musical films Category:1920s in film Category:1930s in film Category:1950s in film Category:1960s in film Category:1970s in film Category:1980s in film Category:Modern art Category:City symphony Category:Articles containing video clips