Richard Dyer Book order

David Fincher's Seven (1995) follows two detectives, David Mills (Brad Pitt) and William Somerset (Morgan Freeman), as they investigate a series of gruesome murders. One of the most acclaimed films of the 1990s, it explores themes of moral decay, human darkness, and the blurred lines between good and evil. Richard Dyer's study of the film, unpacks how its cinematography, sound, and plot combine to create a harrowing account of a world beset by an all-encompassing, irremediable wickedness. He explores the film in terms of sin, story, structure, seriality, sound, sight and salvation, analyzing how Seven both epitomizes and modifies the serial killer genre, which is such a feature of recent cinema. This new edition includes a new afterword by the author, re-assessing the film's lasting impact and influence over contemporary filmmaking aesthetics.

Set against the backdrop of New York City, the narrative intertwines a fantasy adventure featuring three women embodying The Amazons in Central Park with poignant reflections on real-life female figures who have shaped the author’s journey. Richard Dyer explores themes of identity, empowerment, and the impact of women on personal growth, inviting readers to contemplate their own aspirations and influences.

Exploring the representation of whiteness in Western visual culture, Richard Dyer's classic text offers a groundbreaking analysis that continues to resonate two decades after its initial release. The book delves into how whiteness has been portrayed and its implications within society, providing readers with essential insights into cultural dynamics and identity.

La dolce vita has been a phenomenon since before it was made, a scandal in the making and on release and a reference point ever since. This study will consider each of these aspects of the film - phenomenon, document, aesthetic - and argue that they are connected

Brief Encounter (1945), adapted from Noel Coward's play Still Life, is a classic of British cinema – a tale of impossible love between a married woman and a man she meets while waiting for a train. Though it's a film made by men, it is the woman's voice we hear recounting the story of a small-town love affair and her renunciation of it. In his lucid analysis of the film, Richard Dyer explores how its depiction of powerful feelings kept under wraps is a definitive example of a particularly English style of emotional restraint, but also how it spoke to a gay audience for whom this subject – forbidden love between ordinary people – had a special resonance. This reissued edition features original cover artwork by Rania Moudaress and a substantial new foreword that revisits the film and recent readings of it, covering its enduring legacy and adaptation for theatre and television.

Examining the role of songs in film, this book delves into how music occupies both space and time, revealing insights about the emotions conveyed and the dynamics of expression. It explores the significance of who gets to share feelings and the contexts in which these emotions are presented, highlighting the intricate relationship between music and narrative in cinema.

German-born photographer Matthias Schaller discovered the architectural phenomenon of the controfacciata (counter-façade)--a sort of hall or corridor built out from the first floor of a building--while exploring the palaces along the edges of Venice's canals. From 2004 to 2007, he centered his lens on the twilit windows inside these spaces, which imbue the musty elegance of the busts, furniture and paintings that fill them with an ethereal glow, while simultaneously muting all color. In this series, made in the quarter between Ponte di Rialto and Piazza San Marco, Schaller captures the faded grandeur of earlier days, offering tantalizing glimpses of passages that lead to unknown rooms and silent histories. The photographs were made from a direct elevation perspective, highlighting the length of space between Schaller's camera and the light-flooded windows that lead to the water's edge. Controfacciata presents an original view of this city, imbued with the haunting tension and the bittersweet paradox that is Venice.

Focusing on cultural texts across various mediums, this book delves into the interplay of text and genre, examining how pastiche serves as a creative tool. By analyzing films, videos, novels, poetry, rap, music, and painting, it highlights the significance of these elements in shaping artistic expression and cultural commentary. The exploration offers insights into how diverse forms of art influence and reflect societal themes, making it a comprehensive study of contemporary cultural practices.

The study delves into the constructed personas of three iconic stars: Marilyn Monroe, Paul Robeson, and Judy Garland, using various film sources. It explores how their images were shaped and the impact of fan culture and stardom on their lives and careers. Through detailed case studies, the author reveals the complexities of celebrity and the societal issues surrounding these legendary figures.