Wonders of World Cinema
By Arnav Khanolkar | Opinions | Dec 15, 2025
In recent years, the global film industry has rapidly expanded, and films from around the world have offered a diverse range of genres, filmmaking techniques, and societal influences. While Hollywood’s film industry has been the dominant force, other countries have comparable film industries that reflect their respective histories and artistic approaches. Exploring world cinema allows Stanton College Preparatory School students and faculty to understand and engage with the various forms of film around the world. This enables film to be understood as more than an entertainment pastime, but instead a medium that expresses culture, emotion, and heritage.
From its early origins, film has always been an international art form. The first films were created in Western Europe and combined technologies from England, France, and Germany. Auguste and Louis Lumière developed the “Cinématographe” in 1895, which functioned as a camera, printer, and projector. As a result, France became known as the birthplace of cinema. Developments in filmmaking technologies and the creation of public screenings helped develop French cinema. Emerging in the 1950s, the French New Wave was a movement that revolutionized cinema by focusing on the creative visions of directors and rejecting traditional film values. Using film as a medium deeper than entertainment, directors like Jean-Luc Godard and François Truffaut conveyed their personal values and philosophies. Truffaut directed “The 400 Blows” in 1959, a semi-autobiographical film that explored his childhood experiences and analyzed the social structures of French society, while Godard directed “Breathless” in 1960, which was praised by critics globally for its use of techniques like jump cuts. Contemporary directors like Quentin Tarantino have cited the French New Wave as being influential to his works.
As filmmaking spread, other regions began to develop their own film industries. Countries like Japan, India, and the aforementioned France have all experienced growth in their film industries and established studios that have creative approaches to filmmaking. Throughout the 20th century, France remained a vital place in the creation and expansion of films. Key figures like Georges Méliès, who is credited with directing the first science fiction film, “A Trip to the Moon,” improved on the techniques of their predecessors and began producing longer films. Meanwhile, the United States saw the creation of Hollywood, which would go on to dominate global markets. Even as Hollywood grew, countries around the world still developed their respective identities in global cinema.
In Japan, filmmakers like Arika Kurosawa combined local cultures with new technologies to create films like “Seven Samurai,” which later inspired Western films like “The Magnificent Seven.” In the years following World War II, Ishiro Honda and Eiji Tsuburaya revolutionized the science-fiction genre with “Godzilla.” These films provided recognition and increased awareness for the works of Japanese creators. It also influenced directors in the West in their productions for decades to come. Steven Spielberg, a celebrated director in Hollywood, cited “Godzilla” as being an inspiration for the iconic science fiction film “Jurassic Park,” a work that reshaped the genre.
Reflecting similar trends in Asia, India’s Bollywood films have become a global sensation. Centered in Mumbai, Bollywood has produced films that reshaped cinema as a whole. Directors like Raj Kapoor and Satyajit Ray brought international recognition to Indian cinema during the Golden Age of Bollywood in the 1950s. In contemporary times, films like “Lagaan,” “Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge,” and “RRR” have received awards and been recognized around the world primarily for their emotional narratives and unique representation of Indian culture. Defining elements of Bollywood like dance scenes, emotional storytelling, and the integration of social issues have been seen in recent developments in Western cinema as well.
Despite the rich histories and continued expansion of international industries, the current state of cinema continues to place particular emphasis on Hollywood. Their presence on streaming platforms, in theaters, and in the coverage of the media leads to a greater focus on American releases compared to non-Western films. The large budgets and strong distribution networks of Hollywood productions are additional factors that limit the recognition of international films. The box office successes of “Avengers: Infinity War” and “Avengers: Endgame” were directly a result of the combined production cost of $1 billion. In comparison, the Indian films “Baahubali: The Beginning” and “Baahubali 2: The Conclusion,” which are major productions from the Telugu-language Tollywood industry, were created with a combined budget of approximately $50 million, a fraction of the cost of Avengers series. While international films receive praise and critical acclaim in their home countries, the economic imbalances in studios limit the exposure international films receive.
The societal and economic power of Hollywood has led to American films overshadowing works from other countries. When international films are distributed around the world, they are often marketed towards Western, specifically American, audiences. Promotional material of films, like trailers and movie posters, is often adapted to appeal to Western viewers. The film itself may be modified by dubbing into a new language or edited and modified scenes. This can impact the intended cultural message or impact of the film, as the focus of studios is often to attract foreign moviegoers and generate the maximum box office revenue.
Even with the influence of Hollywood, the productions of international film industries have not gone unnoticed. Streaming services, film festivals, and award ceremonies have all contributed to the recognition of films. In 2019, the Oscars awarded Bong Jong Ho’s “Parasite,” a Korean-language film, as the Best Picture, the first non-English film to receive this award. Streaming services like Netflix and Amazon Prime have invested in local film industries and promoted global productions on their platforms. Netflix uses an algorithm that generates content recommendations to users by identifying titles that are trending and combining it with user preferences and watch histories. Features like subtitles and dubbing in multiple languages allow films to be accessed globally. These streaming services serve as a medium for international filmmakers to reach audiences around the world, which expands the reach and influence of global cinema.
Despite production and distribution challenges, world cinema remains relevant in film studies. Global diversity in cinema not only allows Stanton students to learn different techniques in filmmaking, but it also provides opportunities for viewers to explore themes and issues from around the world. Elements like cinematography, editing, and performance are analyzed to understand their cultural and artistic contexts and the overall impact on the film. This ultimately leads to a deeper appreciation for the art as well as understanding its role in representing different societal values and histories