Film, Hot War Traces and Cold War Spaces

This book explores the relationship between film and historical events, using a spatial reading of film to chart cinematic topographies. It investigates the debate between fiction and documentary and offers a unique approach to the study of archival footage and documentaries in relation to mainstream films. The films and footage examined offer a reflection on how we remember, imagine, and experience the past through the complex mediation of film.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 216 pages
Publication date: 31 May 2024
Publisher: Edinburgh University Press

This captivating book delves into the intricate interplay between film and historical events, exploring their profound impact on the landscapes of the present. Through a spatial reading of film, articulated through the process of charting both creative and coherent cinematic topographies, it sheds light on the ways in which film engages with the past and shapes our understanding of the world. As the authority of the archive confronts the rising popularity of fictional narratives, this book delves into the ongoing debate on the relationship between fiction and documentary in hitherto overlooked and surprising contexts. Offering the reader a unique perspective, it explores the ways in which archival footage and documentaries, in conjunction with mainstream films set in the same locations and addressing similar themes, including both live-action and animated works, contribute to our understanding of the past.

From images of the places captured during or shortly after the actual events they depict to the nuanced complexities of retrospective images of the events created years later, the films and footage examined in this book offer a profound reflection on the ways in which we remember, imagine, and experience the past through the intricate mediation of film. By examining the spatial dimensions of these cinematic narratives, the book provides a rich tapestry of insights that challenge our assumptions and broaden our horizons, offering a deeper appreciation of the power of film to shape our collective memory and understanding of history.

Weight: 332g
Dimension: 155 x 232 x 17 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781474475204