Understanding Film Theory [Paperback]

This essential core textbook provides an approachable and extensive introduction to film theory, written by two highly experienced senior lecturers. Bringing a fresh, contemporary and accessible approach to what is often perceived to be a challenging and old-fashioned area of film studies that requires time and effort to grasp, the text illustrates why theory is important and demonstrates how it can be applied in a meaningful way. The books sixteen chapters are clear and comprehensive and provide an insight into the main areas of debate, using clear definitions and explaining complex ideas succinctly.

The ideal entry point for any student studying film, the book is designed for use on courses on film theory on undergraduate and postgraduate degree programmes within Film, Cinema, Media and Cultural Studies.

This book shows how theory can be drawn upon to gain a greater understanding of the complexity and meaning of the films that students watch and study, making it an ideal entry point for anyone tasked with applying theory to their academic work.

Introduction.- 1. Auteur Theory.- 2. Adaptations.- 3. Genre Theory.- 4. Formalism.- 5. Structuralism and Post-structuralism.- 6. Marxism.- 7. Realism.- 8. Postmodernism.- 9. Psychoanalysis.- 10. Feminism.- 11. Masculinity.- 12. Queer Theory.- 13. Race and Ethnicity.- 14. Postcolonial and Transnational Cinemas.- 15. Stars.- 16. Audience Research and Reception.- 16. Conclusion.

Ruth Doughty is the Programme Leader in Film Studies at Liverpool John Moores University, UK. She is one of the co-founding editors of the journal Transnational Cinemas and co-edited Sound and Music in Film and Visual Media (2009).

Christine Etherington-Wright is Senior Lecturer and Course Leader for the BA Film Studies at the University of Portsmouth, UK. She is the author of