The Post-Soul Cinema of Kasi Lemmons

Kasi Lemmons is the first African-American woman to create a significant body of work in cinema, and this collection examines her films through various film theories, showcasing her unique vision that blends the spiritual and supernatural with the natural, corporeal world. She captures the nuances and differentiations of African-American life, challenging essentialized portrayals and exploring themes of personal agency, social agency, and social justice.

Format: Hardback
Length: 129 pages
Publication date: 10 February 2023
Publisher: Springer International Publishing AG

In this meticulously curated volume, Kasi Lemmons emerges as the trailblazing African-American woman auteur who has consistently and remarkably crafted a substantial and acclaimed body of work in the realm of cinema. Her oeuvre stands as a testament to her exceptional talent, artistic merit, and international acclaim, earning her the rightful recognition she deserves. This collection presents the first comprehensive scholarly exploration of Lemmons films, employing diverse frameworks of film theory to shed light on her profoundly personal, distinctive, and rare vision. Lemmons' cinematic world intertwines the spiritual and supernatural with the tangible, physical realm, creating a tapestry of imagery and narratives that reflect her unique formalism, modernist aesthetic, cinematic preoccupations, and ontological leanings on race. With a keen eye for detail, Lemmons skillfully infuses her work with these evocative elements, asserting her artistic authority while embracing her formalism, modernist aesthetic, cinematic interests, and philosophical inclinations. By foregrounding the diverse experiences of African-American life, Lemmons challenges the perpetuation of essentialized portrayals and commits to capturing the nuanced and diverse tapestry of human existence. This collection delves into the core of Lemmons' iconoclastic drive and her post-soul aesthetic, which emerge as profound expressions of her beliefs in personal agency, social agency, and social justice. Through her films, Lemmons invites viewers to engage with the complexities of human experience, fostering empathy, understanding, and a deeper appreciation for the rich tapestry of our shared humanity.

Weight: 327g
Dimension: 210 x 148 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783031128691
Edition number: 1st ed. 2023