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CONCERNING THE CINEMA
(From the French).
There are various kinds of cinemas. The cinema which entertains, and that which instructs ; spectacular and cultural films; which are two distinct fields.
The former kind commandes attention at first sight, and its career has been brilliant and rapid beyond all expectations. The world could be spanned at the Equator, if all the films which have been produced were attached end to end. The number of spectators that have enjoyed cinema shows, amounts to millions of millions. The budgets of the greatest nations could be easily surpassed by the sums invested in the cinematographic enterprises.
These enormous devolopments are beyond all control. They depend on the liberty of trade and industry, and of art itself. Difficult as it may be to submit this giant to international restrictions, persuasion, with the help of public opinion may exercise its influence.
We must make an effort to direct cinematographic production towards beauty, truth and morality.
Towards beauty : The cinema offers new possibilities for esthetic emotion. Too often, in order to please the mass of the public, these possibilities have been neglected. Too often, instead of aiming at the specific effects of the cinema, spectacular success has been found sufficient. However, here and there, where industry alone presided, art makes its appearance ; it is a tendency to be encouraged.
It may be foreseen that variations will ensue for the cinema, as it has happened for the theatre (opera, drama, comedy, vaudeville, variety show, etc.), and some day the art cinema will appear.
Towards truth : Especially with regard to historical reconstructions. On account of its international character, the film excludes nationalist passions, all doubtful or contestable affirma
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