Surrealism was an avant-garde art movement in Paris from 1924 to
1941, consisting of a small group of writers, artists, and
filmmakers, including André Breton (1896–1966), Salvador Dali
(1904–1989), and Luis Buñuel (1900–1983). The movement used
shocking, irrational, or absurd imagery and Freudian dream
symbolism to challenge the traditional function of art to
represent reality. Related to Dada cinema, Surrealist cinema is
characterised by juxtapositions, the rejection of dramatic
psychology, and a frequent use of shocking imagery. Critics have
debated whether 'Surrealist film' constitutes a distinct genre.
Recognition of a cinematographic genre involves the ability to
cite many works which share thematic, formal, and stylistic
traits. To refer to Surrealism as a genre is to imply that there
is repetition of elements and a recognizable, generic formula
which describes their makeup. Several critics have argued that,
due to Surrealism's use of the irrational and on non-sequitur,
it is impossible for Surrealist