MAGIC REALISM

By: Sarah Moseley

DEFINITION

When magical elements are present in a

normal, realistic life setting.

Eg. An individual living for a number of

generations over what is a common life age to

live to.

WHAT IT DOES

Magic Realism is not recognized Film category, but

is a literary Film Genre.

Magic Realism brings magic into everyday life.

Teaches the audience to look at objects from a new

perspective

THE BEGINNING

Began around 1924, when a German art critic,

Franz Roh, used the term to describe real forms

which were painted in a way that did not coincide

with reality.

Was originally used to describe literature and art

works, and later as a means to describe so film

works.

 WINGS OF DESIRE 1987

Represents a Magic Realism Film.

It is predominantly shot in black and white, which represents

how the Angels see “us”. The only scenes shot in color

represent what humans see.

Shooting the film in black and white also causes the audience

to focus on the entire scene and not focus on the brightest

colored object in the shot, which happens in color films. (The

eye naturally focuses on the brightest colored objects it sees.)

WINGS OF DESIRE 1987

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ic8iGIdv80o

1987 Trailer

http://

www.youtube.com/watch?v=6VTrSmLEtWw&feature

=endscreen&NR=1

Nick Cave concert scene, “Wings of Desire”

- Nick Cave represents a Fallen Angel?

PAN’S LABYRINTH 2006

Pan’s Labyrinth 2006- Directed by: Guillermo Del Toro

Told the story of a young Spanish girl named Ofelia, living in a

world to horrible for her to understand, so she escapes into a world

of make-believe, that may not be as imaginary as it first appears.

The Magic that exists in the film is not painted as being beautiful

and sweet, but as dark and dangerous.

“Del Toro carefully constructs each frame with care, marrying

sound and image together to form a beautiful world of magical

realism.” (Ted Pigeon)

PAN’S LABYRINTH 2006

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EqYiSlkvRuw official

trailer

http://

www.youtube.com/watch?v=I-XYPJ3_YAY&oref=http%3A%

2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DI-XYPJ3_YAY

&has_verified=1

real world in which Ofelia lives.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pXQZ2epJIqg

magical life scene inserted into real world which Ofelia

would rather be in.

OTHER EXAMPLES OF MAGICAL REALISM

Groundhog Day 1993, directed by Harold Ramis

Scott Pilgrim vs. the World 2010, directed by

Edgar Wright 

Moulin Rouge 2001, directed by Baz Luhrmann

Adaption 2002, directed by Spike Jonze

BIBLIOGRAPHY

http://www.public.asu.edu/~aarios/resourcebank/d

efinitions

/

http://

www.class.uh.edu/courses/engl3322/nkomar/page_2.

htm

http://www.thecinematicart.com/2007/02/cinema-2

006-cinematic-magical-realism.html