The genre that is known as ‘social realism’ portrays the reality of living in a working-class society. Films under this genre typically discuss the issues such as social, political and economic injustices that have impacts on people's thoughts and feelings in and how they behave in society. Themes and ideologies such as social and racial injustice, economic hardship and the working class as heroes are all very common in these type of films. Social realism has produced many iconic British films and filmmakers, such as Ken Loach or Mike Leigh, that have had huge influence on modern cinema.
The social realism genre originates from literature, which influenced British cinema by using social interactions through the works of Charles Dickens and Thomas Hardy. The first 'film' to use this genre was back in 1902 with James Williamson's, A Reservist Before the War. The short film discusses a serviceman from the Boer War, coming home to an unemployed life, leading him to steal bread for food and then being arrested. During World War II, social realism in British cinema became more popular and began to present the transformations of wartime society, such as the challenging of gender roles as women were alongside men in the military and started going against their domestic role of a housewife. During these times, people were extremely distressed due to the fear of air raids so when cinemas reopened, historian Roger Manvell wrote, that " the public flooded in, searching for relief from hard work, companionship, release from tension, emotional indulgence and, where they could find them, some reaffirmation of the values of humanity." People during war times, saw social realism films as a form of comfort as they portrayed the social, political and economic issues going on at the time as a thing to be proud of, that has changed (some of the times) for the best.
According to BFI's "10 great British social realism films" list, some of the best social realism films can range from years 1940, to 2021. The earliest being Tony Richardson's film, A Taste of Honey, released in 1961. Richardson was not particularly common in social realism filmmaking as he mainly directed Hollywood films, however he started his career during the time that these films became popular. The film discusses many political themes of that time such as, teenage pregnancy, mixed-race relationships and homosexuality. Upon release, the film had many mixed reactions as some were delighted to see different groups and 'issues' represented in a positive way, although some suggested that these people 'don't exist' (in reference to homosexuals, people in interracial relationships and single mothers). More recently, the 2021 film, Ali & Ava, by director Clio Bernard, was also included in this list. The film includes two characters who are both going through hard stages of their lives as Ali is facing a martial breakup and Ava is experiencing an abusive relationship, however all comes around and the two end up falling in love.
It’s extremely common for social realism films to be filmed on actual, real-life locations such as council estates or parks, rather than having a huge production crew in a Hollywood studio. By doing this, it creates the feeling you are watching a documentary rather than a film,thereforeemphasising the realistic atmosphere. The use of unknown actors, sometimes non-professional, in these films is also very common as it adds to the realistic feeling and creates the impression that they could be anyone.