Visitation: The Conjure Work of Black Feminist Avant-Garde Cinema

Black feminist avant-garde filmmakers use historical archives to visualize and reckon with violence suffered by Black women in the US, creating spaces of mourning and reckoning rather than voyeurism and pornotropy. They intervene in the production of Blackness and activate new ways of seeing Black women and telling their stories, theorizing these films as a form of conjure work.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 240 pages
Publication date: 08 November 2022
Publisher: Duke University Press

In her groundbreaking book "Visitation," Jennifer DeClue delves into the profound ways in which Black feminist avant-garde filmmakers harness historical archives to bring to life the devastating experiences of violence endured by Black women in the United States. DeClue makes a compelling argument that these filmmakers, including Kara Walker, Kara Lynch, Tourmaline, and JaTovia Gary, go beyond mere voyeurism and pornotropy to create spaces of mourning and reckoning. Through their innovative use of editing, performance, and cinematic experimentation, these filmmakers intervene in the construction of Blackness and provoke new ways of seeing Black women and telling their stories. DeClue theorizes these films as a form of conjure work, revealing how they raise the specters of Black women from the past and invite them to reveal history from their unique perspectives. By channeling spirits that haunt archives, these filmmakers create cinematic arenas for witnessing Black women battling for survival during pivotal and exceedingly violent moments in US history.

"Visitation" is a groundbreaking work that has received critical acclaim and numerous awards. It has been recognized with the Duke University Press Scholars of Color First Book Award, a testament to its significance in the field of film studies. Through her meticulous research and insightful analysis, DeClue offers a fresh perspective on the role of Black feminist avant-garde filmmakers in shaping our understanding of violence against Black women. This book is a must-read for scholars, students, and anyone interested in exploring the intersection of gender, race, and history."

Weight: 340g
Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781478019169