Cinematographic presentation of reality in Jean-Luc Dardenne Brothers' cinema

The reality that humanity has been interpreting differently in the intellectual field for centuries has guided different perspectives in the artistic production and resulted in the development of many theoretical doctrines. Especially, the understanding of realism based on imitation evolved into understanding the essence of the object later on in the field of visual arts. Realistic thought reflections in cinema having rooted their foundation in Neorealism have demonstrated different tendencies until today and is supported by modernist narrative practices. The subject of this research, the cinema of Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne brothers also has a contemporary social realist quality and currently renders the community-cinema interaction visible. Dardenne brothers creating their own understanding of realism by going beyond traditional stereotypes on a socio-realist level are examples of different styles of realistic thought in cinema, both intellectually and stylistically. The aim of the study is to trace the traditional realism in cinema and to identify its reflections in the films of the Dardenne brothers. In this context, first the meaning of reality is inquired in philosophy and art and then its equivalent is probed in cinema. Realistic understanding in the world cinema and the effect of this understanding on Dardenne brothers' films are examined both thematically and cinematographically, and the change of realism is investigated in the contemporary cinema. Nine films in their filmography are analyzed intellectually, stylistically and aesthetically; and as a result it is concluded that the Dardennes developed an innovative style by synthesizing realistic patterns in cinema with modernist narrative techniques.