Politicised Cinema: Post-War Film, Cultural Diplomacy and UNESCO

Politicised Cinema shows how taking a collection of seemingly apolitical films and using them for explicit political aims can be a force for good. It analyzes the 1959 film catalogue Orient: A Survey of Films Produced in Countries of Arab and Asian Culture, which was published by UNESCO and the BFI to promote intercultural understanding between the East and the West. The author argues that the catalogue positions culture and its cinematic representations as a marker of difference between the Eastern and Western worlds, and shows how even major cultural conflicts can be reframed in service of UNESCO's cultural diplomatic agenda. The book explores how the catalogue of Eastern films deemed suitable for Western audiences became a weapon to fight against prejudice, intolerance, and bigotry in a politicized battle over dismantling the proclaimed link between difference and conflict.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 166 pages
Publication date: 25 September 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Politicised Cinema explores the powerful potential of utilizing a collection of seemingly apolitical films as a tool to serve explicit political objectives. By examining the film catalogue "Orient: A Survey of Films Produced in Countries of Arab and Asian Culture," published by UNESCO and the BFI in 1959 with the aim of promoting intercultural understanding between the East and the West, the author makes a compelling argument for the significance of studying how films can be interpreted and manipulated to serve a specific political agenda, even when the films themselves were originally created with entirely different intentions.

The author delves into how the catalogue positions culture and its cinematic representations as a defining characteristic separating the Eastern and Western worlds. Through this analysis, the author demonstrates how even significant cultural conflicts such as the Cold War and the decolonization process can be reframed to align with UNESCO's cultural diplomatic agenda. The book explores the ways in which the catalogue of Eastern films deemed suitable for Western audiences became a weapon in the fight against prejudice, intolerance, and bigotry. It sheds light on how these films were used to challenge and dismantle the perceived link between difference and conflict.

This book holds immense interest for students, researchers, and academics engaged in the fields of visual politics, cinematic international relations, cultural diplomacy, global governance, and international cultural politics. It provides valuable insights into the complex dynamics of film interpretation and its role in shaping political narratives. Film studies, Asian studies, and cultural studies scholars will find this book to be a rich resource for their research. Moreover, policymakers and practitioners in the domains of cultural diplomacy and cultural policy will find the empirical case study presented in the book to be practical and informative in their work.

In conclusion, Politicised Cinema offers a thought-provoking exploration of the intersection between cinema, politics, and cultural representation. By examining the case of the "Orient: A Survey of Films Produced in Countries of Arab and Asian Culture," the author demonstrates how films can be used as powerful instruments for promoting understanding, challenging prejudice, and shaping political agendas. This book is a valuable contribution to the field and will be of interest to a wide range of scholars and practitioners seeking to understand the complex dynamics of cinematic politics and its impact on global society.

Weight: 284g
Dimension: 156 x 234 x 13 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032120058