Contemporary Political Cinema

Political films have emerged since the 1990s, focusing on oppression and active formation of political characters and viewers, contributing to the active formation of political identities that resonate with off-screen protest movements.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 200 pages
Publication date: 30 November 2020
Publisher: Edinburgh University Press

The political films that have emerged on the global film festival circuit since the 1990s mark a significant shift in cinematic strategies for critically addressing dominant, militant, or otherwise repressive ideologies. These films, which include The Battle of Algiers, Timbuktu, Nobody Knows About Persian Cats, and Chop Shop, have contributed to the active formation of political characters and viewers, a form that was not fully realized until the 21st century due to shifts in information technologies and resulting political organization. This book demonstrates that a contemporary form of political cinema has emerged, centered on the production of subjectivity and networks of protest, which depicts the active formation of political identities that resonate with off-screen protest movements.

One of the key themes of these films is the representation of oppression. Films such as The Battle of Algiers, which chronicles the Algerian War of Independence, and Timbuktu, which explores the persecution of the Tuareg people in Mali, have highlighted the brutal and systematic nature of oppression. These films have challenged the dominant narratives of history and have shown the human cost of these conflicts.

However, these films have also gone beyond the representation of oppression to explore the active formation of political identities. Timbuktu, for example, depicts the resistance of the Tuareg people against the French colonial government and the role of women in this resistance. Chop Shop, on the other hand, explores the lives of young immigrants in Los Angeles and the challenges they face in navigating the criminal justice system.

These films have been successful in engaging audiences and promoting social change. They have been screened at film festivals around the world and have been used as a tool for advocacy and activism. For example, The Battle of Algiers has been used as a training tool for human rights activists and has been credited with helping to bring about the end of the Algerian War of Independence.

However, the production of political cinema has also faced challenges. One of the main challenges is the lack of funding and resources. Many political films are made on a low budget and are often produced by independent filmmakers. This can make it difficult for these films to reach a wide audience and to be distributed widely.

Another challenge is the political climate in many countries. Political films can be controversial and can be subject to censorship or other forms of repression. This can make it difficult for filmmakers to express their ideas and to reach their audiences.

Despite these challenges, political cinema has continued to thrive. In recent years, there has been a growing interest in political cinema, and there have been many new films that have been released. These films have been diverse in their themes and styles, and they have been able to reach a wide audience.

One of the key factors that has contributed to the growth of political cinema is the use of new technologies. For example, digital filmmaking has made it easier for filmmakers to produce high-quality films on a low budget. Social media has also been used to promote political films and to connect with audiences.

In addition, there has been a growing interest in the intersection of politics and art. Political films have been used to explore the relationship between art and politics, and to challenge the dominant narratives of history. For example, the film "The Square" by Ruben Östlund explores the relationship between art and power in contemporary society.

Despite the challenges that political cinema faces, it is important to continue to support and promote this form of cinema. Political cinema can play a vital role in promoting social change and in challenging the dominant narratives of history. By engaging audiences and promoting social change, political cinema can help to create a more just and equitable world.

In conclusion, the political films that have emerged on the global film festival circuit since the 1990s mark a significant shift in cinematic strategies for critically addressing dominant, militant, or otherwise repressive ideologies. These films have contributed to the active formation of political characters and viewers, and have been successful in engaging audiences and promoting social change. Despite the challenges that political cinema faces, it is important to continue to support and promote this form of cinema. By engaging audiences and promoting social change, political cinema can help to create a more just and equitable world.

Weight: 322g
Dimension: 156 x 234 x 15 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781474477710