Film Studies: 5 Road Movies Revisited

The Road Movie is a concept frequently associated with U.S cinema of the 1960s and 70s counter culture era but what are these films actually about? We examine one key ‘cult’ example from this counter culture era Two Lane Blacktop, a film which beyond its surface expresses far more about a crisis in US culture which goes far beyond its minimalistic cross country car race. There will be scope to compare this to far more recent offerings such as Nomadland, how has the road movie changed, some now argue it no longer has the same relevance in the 21st century. Equally so, Agnes Varda’s Vagabond offers a French take on the genre, seeking to subvert many of the conventions of the genre established by Hollywood. Hit the Road from 2021 offering a further perspective from Iran. Whilst Locke will offer a reply to the repeated criticism that no-one can make a successful road movie set in the UK. We have fun, discuss and examine the differences and the running themes. Two Lane Blacktop (1970), Vagabond (1985), Hit the Road (2021), Nomadland (2020), Locke (2013).