What is Film Theory : An Introduction to Contemporary Debates
Contents: Introduction. 1. Structuralism and semiotics: the foundations of contemporary film theory. 2. Apparatus theory: Jean Louis Baudry and Christian Metz. 3. Screen theory: Colin MacCabe and Stephen heath. 4. Feminism and film: visual pleasure and identificatory practices. 5. Cinemas of the other: postcolonialism race and queer theory. 6. Philosophers and film: Gilles Deleuze and Stanley Cavell. 7. Film as art: historical poetics and neoformalism. 8. The cognitive turn: narrative comprehension and character identification. 9. Recent developments: phenomenology attractions and audiences. Notes. References. Index.
This engaging and accessible book explores major debates in contemporary film theory providing a detailed introduction to the central arguments advanced by film theorists since the 1960s.
What is Film Theory ?Outlines the disciplines key theoretical concepts perspectives and traditions and critically examines the assertions posited by exemplary film theorists and philosophers of film. A step by step approach to these issues guides the reader through the central topics of film theory.
Beginning with a discussion of structuralism and semiotics and moving through debates on psychoanalysis feminism screen theory and cultural studies the authors then examine the perspectives of post theory cognitivism and historical poetics as well as recent developments such as audience research and the cinema of attractions.
Analysis of the major theories is supported with detailed and wide ranging case studies of particular films including Singin in the Rain the Searchers Tout va bien Jaws do the Right thing brokeback mountain and Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street. These case studies are accompanied by a series of illustrative film and production stills.
What is Film Theory? is indispensable reading for all students of film and Media studies as well as for general readers interested in the debates which have defined film theory. (jacket)
