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Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow:The categorisation of cinema into art cinema and commercial cinema was largely an offshoot of the emergence of the new movement in the seventies. It is said by art-film directors in their defence that it is the inclusion of spicy elements that explains the success of commercial films. Their films, on the other hand, do not make use of sure success formula. They, however, pride themselves on their greater concern for social issues compared to the mainstream film-makers. Nevertheless, the low success of art-films makes one doubt their efficacy as vehicles of mass communication.Ever since its inception, cinema has served as both a source of entertainment and of education for the masses. It is the entertainment value of cinema that makes it an effective tool for creating social awareness among the masses. There is no doubt regarding offbeat cinema’s commitment to social reform, but it is generally observed that art films are marked by the slowness of pace. The story is presented in what is seen popularly a boring and monotonous manner, often causing the audience to yawn through the length of the film. In direct contrast, a commercial film proceeds at a brisk pace.Moreover, it is marked by an interesting presentation of the story, which is often interspersed with elements like a song, dance, comedy and action. All this makes it more receptive to the public. The difference between art-cinema and commercial cinema, perhaps, lies in the fact that while: art-cinema administers the bitter pill to the public as it is, the commercial cinema administers the same bitter pill after coating it with a sweetener, thus making it more palatable. No wonder that while commercial films attract huge crowds to the cinema halls, the art-films are screened to sparse audiences.It is the lack of the element of entertainment in art-cinema more than anything else, that accounts for its low popularity among the masses. Is not the primary purpose of cinema to entertain? In a predominantly illiterate society like India, cinema is – for the bulk of its population – a source of relief after a hard day’s work. The offbeat films, instead of relieving, further tax the mind of the viewer by bringing him face to face with the stark and unadulterated reality. Hence, with all its social relevance, the offbeat cinema manages to reach only a limited audience comprising mainly the educated and the intellectual sections of society.(i) On the basis of your reading of the above passage make notes on it using headings and sub-headings.(ii) Write a summary of the passage and suggest a suitable title. |
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Answer» (i) Notes: 2. The success of commercial films 3. Art films 4. Purpose of cinema 5. Difference between art cinema and commercial cinema
(ii) Summary |
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