City of Screens: Imagining Audiences in Manila's Alternative Film Culture

Jasmine Nadua Trice's book City of Screens explores the politics of cinema circulation in early-2000s Manila, focusing on the primary locations of film exhibition and distribution. It examines the rising independent cinema movement and the contestation between filmmakers and the state over notions of a prospective national public film audience.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 328 pages
Publication date: 19 March 2021
Publisher: Duke University Press

In her captivating book, Jasmine Nadua Trice delves into the intricate politics of cinema circulation in the vibrant city of Manila during the early 2000s. Through a meticulous exploration of the primary locations where films are exhibited and distributed, including the notorious pirated DVD district, bustling mall multiplexes, esteemed art-house cinemas, the esteemed university film institute, and state-sponsored cinematheques, Trice paints a vivid portrait of Manila's cinema landscape.

Amidst the backdrop of digital media piracy and the gradual decline of the local commercial film industry, the burgeoning independent cinema movement emerges as a focal point of contention between filmmakers and the state. Each side constructs distinct notions of a prospective national public film audience, shaping the contours of the ongoing discourse surrounding audiences.

The significance of these discourses becomes increasingly apparent when considering the limited screening of films by independent Philippine filmmakers to domestic audiences, despite their remarkable international success. This discrepancy highlights the complex dynamics at play, where the roles of the film industry, the public, and the state intertwine to shape the cultural landscape of the Philippines and beyond.

City of Screens offers a profound and insightful examination of the multifaceted debates surrounding the competing roles of the film industry, the public, and the state in national culture. It sheds light on the complex negotiations and power dynamics that shape the production, distribution, and consumption of films in a rapidly evolving media landscape. Through its rich narrative and comprehensive analysis, this book provides valuable insights into the evolving dynamics of cinema and its profound impact on society.

Weight: 480g
Dimension: 151 x 228 x 23 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781478011699