A Modernist Cinema: Film Art from 1914 to 1941

Sixteen scholars examine the interrelationships between modernism, cinema, and modernity in A Modernist Cinema, focusing on culturally influential films from 1914 to 1941. The essays explore how cinema represented and altered our notions and practices of modern life, and how the crises of modernity shaped the evolution of filmmaking. The authors investigate topics such as the representation of political and social struggles, the relationship between cinema and other modernist arts, the interconnection between technology and filmmaking, the representation of the mobile human body, the gendered history of modernity, and the transformative effects of cinema on conceptions of temporality, spatial relations, and political geography.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 328 pages
Publication date: 02 February 2022
Publisher: Oxford University Press Inc

In the realm of A Modernist Cinema, a captivating exploration unfolds as sixteen esteemed scholars delve into the intricate connections between modernism, cinema, and modernity. Their focus lies in examining a selection of culturally significant films from Europe, America, and Asia, crafted between 1914 and 1941. Through their insightful essays, this collection argues that cinema has always been a pioneering endeavor, driven by modernist ideals. By delving into the dialectical relationship between a modernist cinema and modernity itself, these essays unveil how the movies have shaped and transformed our understanding and practices of modern life, as well as how the so-called crises of modernity have influenced the evolution of filmmaking.

To enhance our appreciation of the technical achievements and formal qualities of the works of several prominent directors, this collection takes us on a journey through the works of Giovanni Pastrone, D. W. Griffith, Sergei Eisenstein, Fritz Lang, Alfred Hitchcock, F. W. Murnau, Carl Theodore Dreyer, Dziga Vertov, Luis Buñuel, Yasujiro Ozu, John Ford, Jean Renoir, Charlie Chaplin, Leni Riefenstahl, and Orson Welles. These essays delve into a range of interrelated topics, including:

- The representation and intervention of a modernist cinema in the political and social struggles of the era.
- The complex interplay between cinema and other modernist arts.
- The controversial relationship between modern technology and the art of filmmaking.
- The significance of capturing the mobile human body in a new medium.
- The gendered history of modernity.
- The transformative impact of cinema on modern conceptions of temporality, spatial relations, and political geography.

Through their meticulous analysis, these scholars shed light on the profound ways in which modernist cinema has shaped our cultural landscape, challenging our perceptions and shaping the course of history. A Modernist Cinema serves as a testament to the enduring power of cinema as a medium of artistic expression and social commentary, offering a rich tapestry of insights and perspectives that continue to resonate with audiences today.

Weight: 582g
Dimension: 156 x 235 x 24 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780199379460