The History of Magical Realism in Film

If you grew up in the 1980s, you probably know a little something about Magical Realism. While you may not know it by name, you recognize this storytelling technique from popular films from the late 1980s and early 1990s including Pan’s Labyrinth, The Green Mile, Cinema Paradiso and Amelie. By sprinkling in a bit of magic to otherwise familiar everyday settings, magical realism manages to help audiences understand the world a little…better. Magical realism in film is a popular genre that has Latin American roots.

What is Magical Realism in Film?

Magical realism is a popular film genre that features everyday life concepts and events that are enlivened with just a bit of magic.

This unique form of storytelling helps audiences to see the world more clearly through the eyes of the lens.

Using a technique in which magic becomes a sophisticated tool. One that can help us to derive deeper understanding of otherwise mundane events.

The addition of magical or supernatural phenomena is common in a variety of genres including fantasy. But magical realism differs in that there is a strong dose of reality mixed in with the magic. 

When Did Magical Realism in Film Begin?

Magical realism has been present in Latin American literature for a very long time. However, this particular film genre dates back to the late 1980s and remained popular throughout the 1990s.

As well as into the early 2000s on the big screen. Magical realism in film became popular during this time. But the first known use of the term “Magical realism” dates as far back as 1925.

When German art critic Fanz Roh used the term in an essay he was working on regarding a particular style of painting.

100 Years of Solitude

One of the key individuals responsible for the popularization of magical realism in film is author Gabriel Garcia Marquez who wrote the book “100 Years of Solitude.”

Not only was this book a huge success right away! But it would be the first of many Latin American stories and literature to pave the way for the film genre.

Which would become incredibly popular in the late 1980s.

Pan’s Labyrinth

Many films throughout the history of this film genre have evolved to deliver amazing connections to everyday situations with a hint of magic.

But Pan’s Labyrinth, which was produced in 2006, was probably one of the most notable films that uses the magical realism genre and comes from Latin American roots. 

Throughout the early 2000s, magical realism would continue to have a place in many of the films that were produced and Directed both by Latin American filmmakers.

As well as by filmmakers elsewhere in the world.

For Example

We would see the genre expand far beyond Latin America when French film director Jean-Pierre-Jeunet worked on Amelie.

And when American film director Richard Kelly worked on Donnie Darko. With these advances and magical realism films being introduced from directors worldwide it became evident.

That although magical realism in film has roots in Latin America, those roots have certainly blossomed into amazingly vast productions.

With films that incorporate this hint of magic into the everyday being enjoyed worldwide.