cinéma

Cinéma is the art and technique of producing and presenting moving images intended to entertain, inform, or provoke thought. It encompasses filmmaking, from writing and directing to cinematography, editing, and sound, as well as distribution and exhibition in cinemas, on television, and via digital platforms. As a cultural form, cinema combines narrative, documentary, and experimental modes and reflects economic, legal, and technological contexts.

Origins reach the late 19th century in France and the United States, with Lumière brothers' Cinématographe and Thomas Edison’s Kinetoscope devices enabling public screenings. The silent era developed international styles, and the introduction of synchronized sound in the late 1920s transformed production and storytelling. Color processes and widescreen formats followed in the mid-20th century, reshaping aesthetics and distribution.

National cinemas and influential movements shaped the art form: Italian Neorealism, German Expressionism, and the French New Wave, among others. World cinema expanded with Bollywood, Chinese and Hong Kong productions, Japanese cinema, Iranian cinema, and African and Latin American industries. Film festivals and awards became important platforms for recognition and cross-cultural exchange.

In the late 20th and early 21st centuries, digital cinematography, computer-generated effects, and streaming reshaped production, distribution, and viewing habits. Films continue to be shown in traditional theatres and multiplexes while online platforms and on-demand services broaden access. Preservation and restoration work aims to safeguard film heritage amid changing technologies and ownership models.