Stories between Tears and Laughter: Popular Czech Cinema and Film Critics

by Richard Vojvoda

Overview

While histories of Czech cinema often highlight the quality of Czechoslovak New Wave films made in the 1960s, post-socialist Czech cinema receives little attention. Through a methodology of historical reception, Stories between Tears and Laughter explores how attitudes towards post-socialist Czech cinema have shifted but still viewed it as popular cinema. By analysing publicity materials, reviews and articles, Richard Vojvoda offers a new perspective on the notions of cultural value and quality that have been shaping the history of post-socialist Czech cinema.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781805392491
Publisher:	Berghahn Books
Publication date:	01/05/2024
Pages:	194
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.44(d)

About the Author

Richard Vojvoda completed his PhD at the University of East Anglia in Norwich. His research interests include contemporary cinema and television cultures, especially processes of negotiation of cultural value.

Table of Contents

Introduction: Canons of Czech Cinema

Chapter 1. Negotiating ‘the National’ in Kolya
Chapter 2. Popular Pleasures, Cinema Traditions, and the Invisible Family Film
Chapter 3. ‘Up to Speed?’ Comfort and the Shifting Critical Discourse of Quality
Chapter 4. Cutting Ties with the Term ‘Czech Film’: Genre, Extremity and Canons

Conclusions: Shifting Value of the Retro Film