Troubled Everyday: The Aesthetics of Violence and the Everyday in European Art Cinema

Troubled Everyday examines the relationship between violence and the everyday in European art cinema, challenging the notion that extreme violence is solely for affective potential. It offers a detailed examination of notorious films in their historical and philosophical context, calling for a re-evaluation of what gives these films such affective force and grip on our imagination.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 296 pages
Publication date: 30 November 2018
Publisher: Edinburgh University Press

Extreme violence in contemporary European art cinema is often interpreted for its affective potential, but what about the significance of the everyday that so often frames and forms the majority of these films? Why do the sudden moments of violence that punctuate films like Catherine Breillat's Fat Girl (2001), Gaspar Noé's Irreversible (2002), and Markus Schleinzer's Michael (2011) seem so reliant on everyday routines and settings for their impact? Addressing these questions through a series of case-studies and considering notorious films in their historical and philosophical context, Troubled Everyday offers the first detailed examination of the relationship between violence and the everyday in European art cinema. It calls for a re-evaluation of what gives these films such affective force and such a prolonged grip on our imagination.

One of the key themes of Troubled Everyday is the way in which violence is used to disrupt the everyday routines and settings of the characters. This disruption can be physical, emotional, or psychological, and it can have a profound impact on their lives. For example, in Fat Girl, the protagonist's relationship with her mother is disrupted by her mother's sudden death, which leads to her becoming increasingly isolated and withdrawn. In Irreversible, the protagonist's relationship with his girlfriend is disrupted by a violent attack, which leaves him with permanent brain damage. In Michael, the protagonist's relationship with his father is disrupted by his father's sudden death, which leads to him becoming increasingly violent and unstable.

Another key theme of Troubled Everyday is the way in which violence is used to explore the social and political issues of the time. For example, in Fat Girl, the protagonist's relationship with her mother is disrupted by the social and economic inequality of the time, which leads to her becoming increasingly marginalized and oppressed. In Irreversible, the protagonist's relationship with his girlfriend is disrupted by the social and political unrest of the time, which leads to him becoming increasingly violent and radicalized. In Michael, the protagonist's relationship with his father is disrupted by the social and political corruption of the time, which leads to him becoming increasingly violent and unstable.

One of the challenges that Troubled Everyday faces is the fact that it is difficult to define what constitutes violence in art cinema. This is because violence can take many different forms, and it can be interpreted in many different ways. For example, some films may use violence as a means of entertainment, while others may use it as a means of social commentary. This can make it difficult for critics to agree on what constitutes a good or bad film.

Despite these challenges, Troubled Everyday is a valuable and important work that offers a fresh perspective on the relationship between violence and the everyday in European art cinema. It calls for a re-evaluation of what gives these films such affective force and such a prolonged grip on our imagination, and it provides a wealth of information and analysis that will be of interest to both scholars and film enthusiasts.

In conclusion, extreme violence in contemporary European art cinema is often interpreted for its affective potential, but what about the significance of the everyday that so often frames and forms the majority of these films? Troubled Everyday offers the first detailed examination of the relationship between violence and the everyday in European art cinema, and it calls for a re-evaluation of what gives these films such affective force and such a prolonged grip on our imagination. By exploring the way in which violence is used to disrupt the everyday routines and settings of the characters, and by exploring the way in which violence is used to explore the social and political issues of the time, Troubled Everyday provides a valuable and important work that will be of interest to both scholars and film enthusiasts.

Weight: 236g
Dimension: 157 x 234 x 8 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781474440981