City symphony is a film genre encompassing documentary, experimental, and the avant-garde that emerged in the 1920s. 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.MUBI Collection: CITY SYMPHONIES|MUBI 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.
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. 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.
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,CITY SYMPHONIES - Gartenberg Media EnterprisesProgram 3: The Postwar City Symphony, Part 2 - Film at Lincoln Center are usually associated with the rise in art film as well as contemporaneous trends in art and photography movements like modernism.
Notable works Below are some popular city symphony works, not all-encompassing. London Symphony (2017) - By Alex Barrett The sound of silents: is it time to revive the 'city symphony' film genre?|Cities|The Guardian Water and Power (1989) - By Pat O'Neill"Cinematic Classics, Legendary Stars, Comedic Legends and Novice Filmmakers Showcase the 2008 Film Registry" News from the Library of Congress (30 December 2008) Koyaanisqatsi (1983) - By Godfrey ReggioThe City Symphony - The Urban Landscape - Screening Series by Topiary Landberg Stations of the Elevated (1981)Stations of the Elevated|Night Flight Plus Manhattan (1979) - By Woody Allen News from Home (1977) - By Chantal AkermanDennis Lim's Top 10|Current|The Criterion Collection Organism (1975) - By Hilary Harris 2 or 3 Things I Know About Her (1967) - one of a few fictional city symphony films; directed by Jean-Luc GodardWhere to begin with city symphonies|BFI Castro Street (1966) - By Bruce Baillie Go, Go, Go (1964) - Marie Menken Bridges Go Round (1958) - By Shirley ClarkeShirley Clarke's once-banned independent film The Connection remains hard stuff - nashvillescene.com Broadway by Light (1958) - By William KleinCity Symphonies, Anthology Film Archives, January 2019 - an endless banquet N.Y., N.Y. (1957) - By Francis Thompson Together (1956) Daybreak Express (1953) - By D.A. PennebakerProgram 2: The Postwar City Symphony, Part 1 - film at Lincoln CenterAvant-Garde Visions of New York|Current|The Criterion Collection Abstract in Concrete (1952)Abstract in Concrete (1952), The Making Of - Greg.org In the Street (1948) The City (1939) - By Ralph Steiner and Willard Van DykeThe City Symphony Phenomenon: Cinema, Art, and Urban Modernity Between the Wars - Routledge The aforementioned A Bronx Morning (1931) A propos de Nice (1930) - Jean Vigo's take on Nice, France and the inequalities surrounding it.A Century of City Symphonies - POV Magazine Skyscraper Symphony (1929) - By Robert Florey Rain (1929) - Joris Ivens's take on AmsterdamRain: A Phenomenal Catalogue|(in)Transition 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.The sound of silents: is it time to revive the 'city symphony' film genre?|Cities|The Guardian 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. Rhapsody in Two Languages (1934), directed by Gordon SparlingSarah Jennings, "Gordon Sparling worked on one of the first Canadian features, helped record the country's role in the Second World War, and now a history occupies his time; Happy birthday to a Canadian pioneer". The Globe and Mail, August 13, 1990.
See also Modernist film The Great Depression Minimalist film
References
Bibliography Dähne, Chris : Die Stadtsinfonien der 1920er Jahre. Architektur zwischen Film, Fotografie und Literatur (Kultur- und Medientheorie), Bielefeld: transcript 2013
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)