Cinema, Religion and the Romantic Legacy

Cinema, Religion, and the Romantic Legacy explores the ways in which notions of religion and spirituality have impinged upon the cinema, focusing on the issues of religious representation foregrounded by European directors such as Kieslowski and Godard. It draws on theories of theologians, philosophers, and cultural and literary critics to offer an invaluable examination of artistic interaction with the theological and aesthetic issues of representation and representability.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 228 pages
Publication date: 13 June 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Cinema, Religion, and the Romantic Legacy delves into the intricate interplay between religious beliefs and spirituality and their impact on the art form of cinema. It explores the challenges and complexities of unifying these two seemingly disparate elements within the framework of a post-Romantic cinema. While examining established themes and tropes in the writing on religion and film, such as films about priests and Christ-figures, the book also seeks to problematize them, particularly focusing on the issues of religious representation raised by European directors like Kieslowski and Godard. Drawing upon the theories of theologians, philosophers, and cultural and literary critics such as Otto, Kant, Schiller, and Girard, the book offers a comprehensive examination of the artistic engagement with the theological and aesthetic challenges of representation and representability.

Paul Coates, a Reader in Film Studies at the University of Aberdeen, Scotland, is the author of several influential books, including "The Gorgon's Gaze" (CUP), "Film at the Intersection of High and Mass Culture" (CUP), and "The Story of the Lost Reflection" (Verso). His expertise in the field of film studies provides a valuable perspective to this exploration of the relationship between religion and spirituality in cinema.

In conclusion, "Cinema, Religion, and the Romantic Legacy" is a thought-provoking and insightful book that offers a comprehensive examination of the complex relationship between religion and spirituality in cinema. By drawing upon a wide range of theoretical frameworks and employing a film studies specialist's perspective, it provides valuable insights for scholars, students, and enthusiasts of film, media, and religious studies.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032340357