Metacinema: The Form and Content of Filmic Reference and Reflexivity

Metacinema is a new genre of film studies that explores the meanings and implications of the meta for cinema, with contributors charting, exploring, and advancing the ways in which metacinema is a mode of filmmaking and a heuristic for studying cinematic attributes.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 336 pages
Publication date: 13 December 2021
Publisher: Oxford University Press Inc

Rewritten text:

Meta, a term coined to describe a work of art's self-awareness, has become a familiar concept in the realm of art. This self-reflexive inclination, whether through direct reference to itself or to other works, has been acknowledged by scholars and critics for decades, particularly in the field of cinema. However, it is in the realm of Metacinema that a remarkable convergence of leading and emerging film theorists has taken place
place, engaging in a passionate debate about the meanings and implications of meta for the art form. In a series of new essays on generative films, including iconic masterpieces such as Rear Window, 8 1/2, Holy Motors, Funny Games, Fight Club, and Clouds of Sils Maria, contributors delve into the depths of metacinema, exploring its multifaceted nature as both a mode of filmmaking and a valuable heuristic for studying cinematic attributes.

What emerges from this scholarly exploration is a profound engagement with practices and concepts that are widely employed in the world of cinema, spanning from Hollywood to global cinema, from documentary to the experimental and avant-garde. These essays not only provide a deep understanding of these practices but also contribute to the development of a vibrant and vital new genre of film studies. As more and more films embrace reflexivity, recursion, reference to other films, mise-en-abîme, seriality, and exhibit related intertextual and intermedial traits, the need for a comprehensive and nuanced critical study like that found in Metacinema becomes increasingly apparent.

In conclusion, Metacinema represents a groundbreaking shift in the way we perceive and analyze films. By embracing self-awareness and engaging in meta-reflexivity, filmmakers have pushed the boundaries of artistic expression, creating works that are not only visually stunning but also intellectually stimulating. Through the contributions of these scholars and the insights they provide, we are embarking on a journey of discovery, expanding our understanding of the complex and ever-evolving world of cinema.

Weight: 496g
Dimension: 156 x 235 x 19 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780190095352