Cinema: A Visual Anthropology

by Gordon Gray

Overview

Cinema: A Visual Anthropology provides a clear and concise summary of the key ideas, debates, and texts of the most important approaches to the study of fiction film from around the world. The book examines ways to address film and film experience beyond the study of the audience. Cross-disciplinary in scope, Cinema uses ideas and approaches both from within and outside of anthropology to further students' knowledge of and interest in fiction film. Including selected, globally based case studies to highlight and exemplify important issues, the book also contains suggested Further Reading for each chapter, for students to expand their learning independently. Exploring fundamental methods and approaches to engage this most interesting and vibrant of media, Cinema will be essential reading for students of anthropology and film.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781845207946
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	02/01/2010
Series:	Key Texts in the Anthropology of Visual and Material Culture , #1
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	186
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.10(h) x 0.40(d)

About the Author

Gordon Gray is a Visiting Lecturer in the Department of Anthropology, Temple University. The author has conducted research on Malaysian cinema and teaches classes on fiction film as part of Temple University's Visual Anthropology program.

Table of Contents

List of Illustrations vii

Introduction ix

Suggested Further Reading xvii

1 The History of Cinema 1

Introduction 2

Precursors 3

Early Cinema 5

The “Golden Era” of Fiction Film 15

Auteurs, Independents, and Global Blockbusters 28

Suggested Further Reading 33

2 Film Theory 35

Introduction 36

Early Film Theory 37

Critical Film Theories 45

Suggested Further Reading 73

3 Context of Production, Distribution, and Exhibition 75

Introduction 76

Context of Production 77

Third Cinema 88

Contexts of Distribution and Exhibition 96

Social and Cultural Contexts – Anthropology of the Cinema 99

Suggested Further Reading 107

4 Context of Reception 109

Introduction 110

Reception and Audience Studies 112

Suggested Further Reading 133

Conclusion 135

Notes 143

Bibliography 147

Index 157

Editorial Reviews

"Gordon Gray's Cinema: A Visual Anthropology strikes a perfect note for the contemporary exploration of visual culture. Clearly written, comprehensive, and laced with stunning images, this is a text for which professors of visual anthropology, film studies and visual culture have been waiting. - Paul Stoller, Professor of Anthropology at West Chester University of Pennsylvania and author of The Power of the Between: An Anthropological Odyssey Gordon Gray amply does justice to both the disciplines of anthropology and of film studies in seeing that the value of film in the understanding of our world is not constrained by the narrow borders of disciplinary comfort zones. This book is a bold and valuable breath of fresh air. - Benjamin McKay, Film Critic and Lecturer in Film Studies, Monash University Malaysia Gray presents a concise, lucid and cross-disciplinary summary of the most important ideas, debates and texts in key approaches to the study of fiction film, and considers ways to address film and film experience beyond the study of the audience." - Times Higher Education Supplement (November 2010)

From the Publisher

Gordon Gray amply does justice to both the disciplines of anthropology and of film studies in seeing that the value of film in the understanding of our world is not constrained by the narrow borders of disciplinary comfort zones. This book is a bold and valuable breath of fresh air

Benjamin McKay

Gordon Gray's Cinema: A Visual Anthropology strikes a perfect note for the contemporary exploration of visual culture. Clearly written, comprehensive, and laced with stunning images, this is a text for which professors of visual anthropology, film studies and visual culture have been waiting.

Professor of Anthropology at West Chester Universi Paul Stoller

Gordon Gray's Cinema: A Visual Anthropology strikes a perfect note for the contemporary exploration of visual culture. Clearly written, comprehensive, and laced with stunning images, this is a text for which professors of visual anthropology, film studies and visual culture have been waiting.

Paul Stoller