The Child in Cinema

This book explores the representation of children in cinema from an interdisciplinary perspective, examining films from various genres and considering the global reach of cinema featuring children. It examines the spaces and places children inhabit, their rights and agency, the affective power of the child, and the complexity and ambiguity of the child figure.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 240 pages
Publication date: 22 September 2022
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

This comprehensive book brings together a diverse array of esteemed scholars from around the world, offering an interdisciplinary exploration of the portrayal of children in cinema. Each chapter delves into the diverse ways in which children are represented across a wide range of films, encompassing classics such as Badlands (1973), Ratcatcher (1999), Boyhood (2014), My Neighbor Totoro (1988), and Howls Moving Castle (2004). Furthermore, the book examines the representation of children in non-fiction and non-theatrical films, including documentaries like Être et Avoir (2002) and Capturing the Friedmans (2003), as well as art installations and public information films. Through a meticulous analysis of these films, the contributors shed light on the spaces and places children inhabit, their rights and agency, the emotional impact of the child as a vessel for memory and history, and the multifaceted nature of the child figure itself.

Moreover, the essays in this book argue for the global reach of cinema featuring children, encompassing analyses of films from various regions such as the former Yugoslavia, Brazil, and India. They also delve into the labor of children both in front of and behind the camera, as actors and filmmakers, highlighting the complexities and challenges involved in capturing the essence of child performance on screen. By providing an in-depth examination of the nature of child performance across a diverse range of cinemas and film-making practices, this book offers a valuable contribution to the field of film studies.

Weight: 514g
Dimension: 157 x 232 x 18 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781844575121