Exploring the global transformations in modern cinema, this book highlights Hollywood's pivotal role in shaping the digital future of filmmaking. It provides clear insights into the significant paradigm shifts affecting our connection to moving images, supported by numerous detailed examples. Aimed at both film students and cinema enthusiasts, it promises to be both informative and engaging, making complex concepts accessible to a broad audience.
This anthology compiles essential writings on American avant-garde cinema, tracing the evolution of underground filmmaking from the 1920s to contemporary artists. It examines significant movements like the New American Cinema of the 1960s and Structuralist films of the 1970s, highlighting both prominent and overlooked filmmakers. Contributors address how underground films engage with themes of gender, sexuality, and race while showcasing technical innovations such as Super 8mm and video. Each section begins with an introduction that contextualizes the discussions.
The first section delves into the origins of American avant-garde cinema, emphasizing early filmmakers like Maya Deren. The second section focuses on the 1960s, detailing the New American Cinema and influential figures such as Kenneth Anger, Andy Warhol, and Stan Brakhage. The third section identifies key players in Structuralist film, including Michael Snow. The final section looks at contemporary filmmakers like Isaac Julien and Barbara Hammer, considering the future of experimental cinema.
Key essays include discussions on the impact of women filmmakers, the ambiguity of mass culture in Anger’s work, and interviews with prominent figures like Yoko Ono and Hollis Frampton. The collection offers a comprehensive view of the diverse landscape of experimental film and its ongoing relevance.
