Chaoid Cinema: Deleuze & Guattari and the Topological Vector of Silence

This book explores silences in the soundtrack of film, using Deleuze and Guattari's concept of Chaoids to open up the surface plane of art to discover philosophical and political singularities and multiplicities.

Format: Hardback
Length: 376 pages
Publication date: 31 October 2021
Publisher: Edinburgh University Press

This book delves into a captivating realm within contemporary film studies, where it explores the profound impact of visual and aural absences and interstices within film narratives. By focusing on the concept of silences in the soundtrack, it goes beyond ambient silence or the so-called "room tone" to encompass complete sound drop-outs, akin to a film projector malfunctioning, abruptly jolting the audience out of their passive engagement with the screen. This unexpected disruption forces the viewers to become acutely aware of their surroundings and the intricate mechanical apparatus of film as a technological device.

Drawing upon the rich insights of Deleuze and Guattari's concept of "Chaoids," which encompasses diverse organizations of chaos across various scientific, philosophical, and artistic disciplines, this book employs silence as a catalyst for exploring a multitude of vectors that unlock the surface plane of art, specifically cinema. Through this exploration, it uncovers distinct philosophical singularities and multiplicities, offering a profound lens through which to understand the complexities of the cinematic medium.

The book's approach is interdisciplinary, drawing upon a range of theoretical frameworks and methodologies to analyze the power of silence in shaping the cinematic experience. It employs a diverse array of sources, including film analysis, philosophy, and cultural studies, to shed light on the nuanced ways in which silences can evoke emotions, create tension, and provoke thought. By examining the ways in which silences are constructed, manipulated, and interpreted by filmmakers and audiences, the book offers a nuanced understanding of the role of sound and silence in constructing meaning and identity within film narratives.

One of the key insights of the book is its recognition of the ways in which silences can challenge traditional notions of narrative coherence and causality. It argues that silences can create spaces for ambiguity, uncertainty, and reflection, allowing viewers to engage with the film on a deeper level and to interpret its meaning in their own unique ways. Silences can also serve as a means of subverting dominant narratives and power structures, as they can disrupt the flow of information and challenge the authority way in which we perceive and understand the world.

Furthermore, the book explores the ways in which silences can be used to create a sense of intimacy and connection between the viewer and the film. By allowing the audience to fill in the gaps with their own imagination and interpretation, silences can create a sense of shared experience and empathy, allowing viewers to become deeply invested in the characters and their journeys. This sense of intimacy can also be used to create a sense of suspense and tension, as the audience is left to wonder what will happen next and to interpret the silences as clues to the unfolding plot.

In conclusion, this book is a groundbreaking exploration of the power of silences in film narratives. By delving into the complexities of visual and aural absences and interstices, it offers a fresh perspective on the cinematic medium and its ability to convey meaning and emotion. Through its interdisciplinary approach and rich analysis, it provides valuable insights into the role of sound and silence in shaping the cinematic experience and offers a compelling argument for the importance of considering the role of silence in film studies.

Weight: 696g
Dimension: 164 x 244 x 27 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781474494021