Cultivating Extreme Art Cinema: Text, Paratext and Home Video Culture

Cultivating Extreme Art Cinema examines the DVD and Blu-ray object to understand how sleeve designs, blurbs, and special features shape the film's identity and prepare the audience for a particular cinematic experience, exploring the complex interactions between art and exploitation films and the dichotomies between them.

Format: Paperback / softback
Publication date: 31 May 2020
Publisher: Edinburgh University Press

Cultivating Extreme Art Cinema: Text, Paratext, and Home Video Culture is a book that examines the DVD and Blu-ray object to address the accusations of gimmickry often directed towards extreme art films. It explores the complex interactions that take place on these commercial artefacts, the ways they communicate to both highbrow and lowbrow audiences, and the manner in which they breach tradition taste distinctions. The book includes case studies of features like Cannibal Holocaust, Funny Games, and Antichrist, which explore the complicated dichotomies between art and exploitation films to present a fluid history of extreme art cinema.

The DVD and Blu-ray object is a significant part of the extreme art cinema experience. It provides a platform for filmmakers to showcase their work and connect with audiences. The sleeve designs, blurbs, and special features on these objects shape the identity of the film and prepare the audience for a particular type of cinematic experience.

One of the key aspects of the DVD and Blu-ray object is the sleeve design. Sleeve designs can be used to convey a variety of messages about the film, including its genre, style, and content. For example, a sleeve design for a horror film may include images of blood, gore, and monsters, while a sleeve design for a comedy film may include images of laughter and jokes.

Blurbs are also important in the DVD and Blu-ray object. Blurbs are short descriptions of the film that are often included on the back of the sleeve. Blurbs can be used to provide a summary of the film's plot, to highlight its key themes, and to attract potential viewers.

Special features are also included on the DVD and Blu-ray object. Special features can include behind-the-scenes footage, interviews with the cast and crew, and commentary tracks. Special features can be used to provide additional insight into the film's production and to enhance the audience's understanding of the film.

The DVD and Blu-ray object also plays a significant role in the breach of tradition taste distinctions. Traditional taste distinctions often divide films into highbrow and lowbrow categories. Highbrow films are typically seen as being more artistic and intellectual, while lowbrow films are typically seen as being more commercial and entertaining. The DVD and Blu-ray object has helped to break down these distinctions by providing a platform for films that are considered to be extreme or unconventional.

Case studies of features like Cannibal Holocaust, Funny Games, and Antichrist are included in the book to explore the complicated dichotomies between art and exploitation films. Cannibal Holocaust is a 1979 Italian film that is considered to be one of the most extreme films ever made. The film is a documentary about a group of anthropologists who travel to the Amazon rainforest to study a tribe of cannibals. The film is known for its graphic violence and its controversial subject matter. Funny Games is a 1997 Austrian film that is considered to be one of the most controversial films ever made. The film is a psychological thriller that follows a family who is terrorized by two young men. Antichrist is a 2009 Danish film that is considered to be one of the most controversial films ever made. The film is a psychological drama that follows a father who becomes obsessed with his son's death.

The book argues that the DVD and Blu-ray object has played a significant role in the development of extreme art cinema. It has provided a platform for filmmakers to showcase their work and connect with audiences, and it has helped to break down traditional taste distinctions. However, the book also notes that the DVD and Blu-ray object has also been criticized for its gimmickry and its exploitation of the film's content.

One of the criticisms of the DVD and Blu-ray object is that it can be used to exploit the film's content. For example, some films may be released on DVD and Blu-ray with special features that are designed to attract viewers who are interested in the film's violence or its sexual content. These special features can be used to promote the film and to increase its sales. However, these special features can also be offensive to some viewers and can contribute to the perpetuation of harmful stereotypes.

Another criticism of the DVD and Blu-ray object is that it can be used to create a false sense of authenticity. For example, some films may be released on DVD and Blu-ray with special features that are designed to make the film appear more authentic than it actually is. These special features can include interviews with the cast and crew that are staged or that are not representative of the film's production.

To address these criticisms, the book suggests that filmmakers should be more transparent about the content of their films. Filmmakers should be willing to discuss the themes of their films and to provide additional insight into the production of their films. Filmmakers should also be willing to work with distributors to ensure that their films are released in a way that is respectful of the film's content.

In addition, the book suggests that audiences should be more aware of the DVD and Blu-ray object. Audiences should be aware of the special features that are included on the object and should be aware of the potential for exploitation. Audiences should also be willing to engage with the film's content and to consider the film's themes and its impact on society.

In conclusion, Cultivating Extreme Art Cinema: Text, Paratext, and Home Video Culture is a book that examines the DVD and Blu-ray object to address the accusations of gimmickry often directed towards extreme art films. It explores the complex interactions that take place on these commercial artefacts, the ways they communicate to both highbrow and lowbrow audiences, and the manner in which they breach tradition taste distinctions. The book includes case studies of features like Cannibal Holocaust, Funny Games, and Antichrist, which explore the complicated dichotomies between art and exploitation films to present a fluid history of extreme art cinema. By being more transparent about the content of their films and by being more aware of the DVD and Blu-ray object, filmmakers and audiences can help to ensure that extreme art cinema continues to thrive in the future.

Weight: 374g
Dimension: 154 x 233 x 16 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781474427388