by C.S. Tashiro (1998)
Theories of film have traditionally dealt with either narrative or industrial issues, with the consequence that the physical content of the graphic frame has often been ignored or relegated to the sidelines. By contrast, C.S. Tashiro foregrounds the visual aspect of cinema in this book, drawing on his experiences as a designer and filmmaker, as well as on contemporary theory, to show how production design can support or contradict narrative structure, or exist in an entirely parallel realm of meaning. Tashiro looks at cinematic production design from a broadly interdisciplinary perspective, encompassing art and architecture theory, audience reception, narrative theory, and phenomenology, to arrive at a more encompassing definition of the process. He builds his argument around studies of several prominent history films, since design is central to historical representation, and explores the most pertinent issues raised by the topic, particularly commodity consumption. In his conclusion, he also offers possible solutions to some of the social problems raised by design.
John Gibbs
Gibbs presents a detailed exploration of classics such as Rebel Without a Cause and Lone Star. The book is an invaluable tool in understanding the expression of visual style, and an unrivalled text for the understanding of interpretative methodologies.
William Pencak
"Derek Jarman's films explore the possibilities and limitations of same-sex love and self-expression during various historical eras, from ancient Egypt to present times. His work covers a millennium of sexual repression and efforts to escape it. Jarman presents a cinematic history of people whose homoerotic passions had a major impact on western civilization in religion, art, politics, philosophy, and war.". "This book provides background information on each of Jarman's fifteen scripts and films. The chapters are "program notes" to his films from a historical perspective. An interpretation of Jarman's intentions, gleaned from the director's writings and writings about him, is also provided. This work reveals Jarman's importance as a keen student of the limits of historical knowledge, and delineates the role of history in inspiring change or preserving inertia in the present struggle against homophobia."--BOOK JACKET.
David B. Clarke
The role played by the city is central to a wide variety of films. In everyday experience, cities frequently seem to possess a cinematic quality. Yet the relationship between city and cinema has been neglected in both film and urban studies. The contributors to this multidisciplinary volume have sought to remedy this situation by offering a detailed and wide-ranging look at the 'cinematic city'. Covering a diverse selection of films, genres, cities, and historical periods, the innovative and thought-provoking essays gathered together here offer numerous insights to those interested in cities, film, and their conjunction. By introducing some of the major dimensions of urban theory and film theory at the outset, the collection proceeds towards a detailed understanding of the cinematic forms most significantly related to the city - including early cinema, documentary film, film noir, 'New Wave' and postmodern cinema. The volume provides a wealth of empirical detail whilst drawing on the theoretical insights of Benjamin, Baudrillard, Foucault, Deleuze, Lacan, Lefebvre and contemporary feminism.
Jay Ruby
"The Cinema of John Marshall explores the life and art of the pioneering ethnographic filmmaker. Its centerpiece is an autobiographical essay in which Marshall assesses his forty-year involvement with the San peoples (Bushmen) of South Africa and his films, from the 1957 award winning "The Hunters" to his current work in progress, "Death by Myth." The book weaves together the political economy of San dispossession, history and ethnography, personal narratives of historical importance, and expositions of film techniques and film language. The first English language study of the man and his work, The Cinema of John Marshall conveys the complex unity of Marshall's life: the filmic, the intellectual, the political, and the human"--Publisher description.