Greek Film Noir

This book offers a comprehensive study of Greek film noir, exploring its reception and influence in Greece and its impact on Greek filmmaking. It employs theoretical frameworks from New Film History to provide insights into Greek modernity and reveal the affinities of established Greek auteurs with the film-noir tradition.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 336 pages
Publication date: 31 May 2024
Publisher: Edinburgh University Press

This book is a groundbreaking exploration of Greek film noir, offering the first comprehensive study of this genre in Greece. It delves into the reception and influence of U.S. and European film noir and neo-noir in Greece, as well as their impact on Greek filmmaking. By employing theoretical frameworks from New Film History, the book provides a fresh perspective on underrated or neglected cultural products, offering insights into Greek modernity and revealing the affinities of established Greek auteurs with the film-noir tradition. This comprehensive work firmly establishes Greece on the film noir cinematic map, providing a panoramic overview of leading Greek auteurs, including Nikos Koundouros, Maria Plyta, Theo Angelopoulos, and Nikos Nikolaidis. Their work is approached from an innovative angle, focusing on film-noir style and themes, shedding new light on their contributions to the genre.

Introduction:
Greek film noir has been a largely overlooked and underappreciated genre within the broader context of international cinema. Despite its rich history and distinctive style, Greek film noir has been largely overshadowed by its American and European counterparts. This book aims to rectify this oversight by providing a comprehensive study of Greek film noir, exploring its reception, influence, and impact on Greek filmmaking.

Reception and Influence of U.S. and European Film Noir and Neo-Noir in Greece:
The influence of U.S. and European film noir and neo-noir on Greek cinema has been profound. Greek filmmakers have been drawn to the dark, atmospheric, and morally complex themes of these genres, incorporating them into their own works. The influence of film noir can be seen in the use of lighting, camera angles, and narrative structures in Greek films, as well as in the themes of corruption, crime, and social injustice that are often explored.

Effect on Greek Filmmaking:
Greek film noir has had a significant impact on Greek filmmaking. It has inspired a new generation of filmmakers to explore the darker side of Greek society and has encouraged them to experiment with new storytelling techniques. Greek film noir has also contributed to the development of a unique Greek cinematic identity, distinguishing it from other film industries in the region.

Theoretical Frameworks:
In order to provide a fresh perspective on Greek film noir, this book employs theoretical frameworks from New Film History. New Film History is a theoretical approach that emphasizes the social, cultural, and political contexts in which films are produced and consumed. By employing this framework, the book seeks to understand the ways in which Greek film noir reflects and responds to the social, cultural, and political conditions of its time.

Underrated or Neglected Cultural Products:
One of the key objectives of this book is to offer a fresh look at underrated or neglected cultural products. By examining the reception and influence of U.S. and European film noir and neo-noir in Greece, the book seeks to provide insights into the ways in which these genres have been received and interpreted by Greek audiences. This approach allows the book to offer a more comprehensive understanding of Greek modernity and its relationship with the film-noir tradition.

Leading Greek Auteurs:
The book provides a comprehensive overview of leading Greek auteurs, from Nikos Koundouros and Maria Plyta to Theo Angelopoulos and Nikos Nikolaidis. Each of these auteurs has made significant contributions to Greek film noir, and their work is innovatively viewed from an angle of film-noir style and thematics. By examining the work of these auteurs, the book seeks to understand the ways in which they have incorporated film-noir elements into their own films and how they have contributed to the development of the genre in Greece.

Conclusion:
In conclusion, this book is a groundbreaking exploration of Greek film noir, offering the first comprehensive study of this genre in Greece. It delves into the reception and influence of U.S. and European film noir and neo-noir in Greece, as well as their impact on Greek filmmaking. By employing theoretical frameworks from New Film History, the book provides a fresh perspective on underrated or neglected cultural products, offering insights into Greek modernity and revealing the affinities of established Greek auteurs with the film-noir tradition. This comprehensive work firmly establishes Greece on the film noir cinematic map, providing a panoramic overview of leading Greek auteurs, including Nikos Koundouros, Maria Plyta, Theo Angelopoulos, and Nikos Nikolaidis. Their work is approached from an innovative angle, focusing on film-noir style and themes, shedding new light on their contributions to the genre.

Weight: 472g
Dimension: 234 x 156 x 18 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781474459006