What Makes a Film ‘Artsy’?

How do we know if a film is ‘artsy’ or not? You may hear the phrase ‘artsy film’ being used rather loosely when talking to friends and family. “That is an artsy film” etc, and you might even be inclined to disagree with them. But how do we actually know if it’s an artsy film or not?

First of all, film is a form of art. Technically, all films are ‘artsy’ because they are all pieces of art. Art is an objective term because it defines an expression of the human creative skill and imagination; there is nothing subjective about whether a film is artsy or not because it will always be the creation of someone’s imagination. The subjective element of art is whether or not you would personally hang it on your wall or spend a moment to admire the work.

The opposite could be argued for documentaries or films based on true events. However, the way the story has been illustrated and explored on screen is still a creation of the director/writer etc and therefore an expression of their imagination.

On the other hand, people often use the term artsy to describe a film that doesn’t follow typical conventions for film. For instance,  Memento is not shown in chronological order. And neither are numerous other successful films. Run Lola Run uses animation as well as ‘real’ footage in combination. In this sense, Pulp Fiction is artsy in the same way that Van Gogh’s Starry Night is artsy; they both don’t follow conventional techniques for film/art but are still successful and renowned (ignoring the fact that Gogh didn’t actually receive his fame and recognition for his art until after his death).

These techniques were put in place to help convey meaning and understanding to the audience, in the same way a painter might use acrylics instead of water-paint, or a composer choosing to use a particular instrument for a certain chorus. In the case of Van Gogh, it could be argued that the reason he painted so vividly is because of his mental difficulties, and this being the way he saw the world through his pain.

This might not necessarily be grounds to call it ‘artsy, but it can most definitely be considered as experimental. Because that’s what they’re doing. Like scientists or any other group of people who carry out research, they will test and try out variables to get different results (or the same results). And in turn, they will find out what works and what doesn’t. But, usually in film, it really is just to help find a suitable way to get their message to the audience in the most effective way possible.

After much given thought about this subject after a heavy discussion with two people debating on whether a film is ‘artsy’ or not, I have come to the conclusion that ‘experimental’ would be a more fitting term.

In other news… Why Did They Call It That: Film Titles And What Makes Them Powerful. (or not)