Mumblecore

Mumblecore is a term used to describe a number of American independent films produced in the early 2000s^[1][2] characterised by low budget production values and amateur actors. The term does not describe a conscious movement as much as a loose band of film makers who produce very low-budget films heavily focused on naturalistic dialog. Filmmakers that fall under the term include Andrew Bujalski, Lynn Shelton, Mark Duplass, Jay Duplass, Aaron Katz and Joe Swanberg.^[1][3][4]

History and etymology

Andrew Bujalski has been described as the "Godfather of Mumblecore".^[5] His 2002 directorial debut, Funny Ha Ha, is generally considered to be the first mumblecore film.^[6]

The 2005 South by Southwest Film Festival screened a number of other films that came to be considered part of the mumblecore movement, including Bujalski's second film Mutual Appreciation, The Puffy Chair by Mark Duplass & Jay Duplass, and Kissing on the Mouth by Joe Swanberg.^[5][7][2][8]

The term "mumblecore" was coined by Eric Masunaga, a sound editor who has worked with Bujalski. Masunaga coined the term one night at a bar during the 2005 South by Southwest Film Festival, when asked to describe the similarities between Mutual Appreciation, The Puffy Chair, and Kissing on the Mouth, which all screened at the festival.^[5] The term was first used publicly by Bujalski in an interview with indieWIRE.^[2][6]

The directors of the films are sometimes referred to collectively as "mumblecorps", as in press corps. Film journalists have also used the terms "bedhead cinema", and "Slackavetes", derived from the title of Richard Linklater's dialogue heavy, lo-fi 1990s film Slacker^[2] and the name of independent film director John Cassavetes.

In 2007, the IFC Center in New York City exhibited a ten-film series of mumblecore films, titled "The New Talkies: Generation D.I.Y.".^[2]

New York-based Benten Films, a boutique DVD label run by film critics, has championed such mumblecore titles as Swanberg's LOL, and Katz's first two films: Dance Party USA and Quiet City.

Distinguishing characteristics

Naturalism – both in performance and dialogue – is a key feature of almost all mumblecore films.^[2] Many mumblecore films feature non-professional actors;^[1][2][5] however, Mark Duplass & Jay Duplass have worked with professional actors on their films Baghead, Jeff, Who Lives at Home, and Cyrus.^[8] Some mumblecore films feature a prominent use of improvisation,^[2][5] with the cast sharing script credits.^[1] However, not all mumblecore films feature significant improvisation. For example, the films of Andrew Bujalski are heavily scripted.^[9]

Mumblecore films are generally produced with an extremely low budget and low production values.^[5][6] Many of these films are shot digitally;^[1][6] however, this is not a defining characteristic. As of July 2011, all of Andrew Bujalski's films have been shot on film.^[9]

List of mumblecore films

• 2002
  • Funny Ha Ha^[2]
• 2005
  • Kissing on the Mouth^[2]
  • The Puffy Chair^[2]
  • Mutual Appreciation^[2]
• 2006
  • Dance Party USA^[2]
  • LOL^[1]
• 2007
  • Hannah Takes the Stairs^[2]
  • Quiet City^[2]
  • Hohokam^[2]
  • Orphans^[3]
  • Team Picture^[10]
• 2008
  • Baghead^[11]
  • In Search of a Midnight Kiss^[12]
  • The Pleasure of Being Robbed^[13]
  • Nights and Weekends^[14]
  • Yeast^[15]
• 2009
  • Alexander the Last^[6]
  • Medicine for Melancholy^[16]
  • The Lionshare
  • Humpday^[17]
  • Beeswax^[18]
  • Daddy Longlegs^[19]
  • Sorry, Thanks^[20]
• 2010
  • Cyrus^[21]
• 2011
  • Cold Weather^[22]
  • Uncle Kent^[23]
  • Tiny Furniture^[24]
  • Your Sister's Sister
• 2012
  • Jeff, Who Lives at Home^[25]

References

External links

• indieWIRE Interview:The Mumblecore Movement? Andrew Bujalski On His "Funny Ha Ha"
• indieWIRE: Mumblecore Movie? Swanberg, Bujalski, Duplass and Others Unveil "Hannah Takes The Stairs"
• The Austin Chronicle: Mumblecore And Murder
• Benten Films website
• Free Times: Features – Don't Call it "Mumblecore"
• Daily Film Dose: Alexander The Last, The Movie That Killed Mumblecore
• Mumblecore: All Talk? | Filmlinc.com | Film Society of Lincoln Center