Jean Cocteau (French Film Directors) (French Film Directors) (French Film Directors Series) - Hardcover

James S. Williams

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 071905883X ISBN 13: 9780719058837

Publisher: Manchester University Press, 2006

Synopsis

This is a comprehensive, original and accessible account of all aspects of Jean Cocteau's work in the cinema. It is the first major study in English to appear for over forty years and casts new light on Cocteau's most celebrated films as well as those often neglected or little known. Jean Cocteau is not only one of French cinema's greatest and most influential auteurs whose work covered all the major genres but also an experimenter, collaborator, theorist and all-round ambassador of film. This lucid account provides a complete introduction to Cocteau's cinematic project in the context of his entire oeuvre, detailed analysis of individual films, and a thematic engagement with all his cinema from a range of interdisciplinary perspectives. The Cocteau that emerges is at once a materialist filmmaker and visionary who is committed to realism in all its guises and reveals the wonder and mystery of what he called 'the cinematograph'. -- .

About this title

Review:

James S. William's Jean Cocteau is both a welcome new study of the films of a versatile artist and director and a precious addition to Manchester University Press's useful series on French Directors. His study elegantly weaves historical context, biographical element and in-depth analysis of the formal characteristics of Cocteau's films. Williams produces an inspiring study and manages to suggest new paths in the exploration of the artist's unique corpus of film work. This captivating book should thus be of interest to students as well as to specialists in cinematic culture. (Martine Beugnet, Edinburgh University) --Martine Beugnet, Edinburgh University

Synopsis:

The first major study in English of Cocteau's cinematic work for over forty years. Casts new light on the most celebrated films, and those often neglected or less well-known Explores Cocteau's importance as one of French cinema's greatest and most influential auteurs, and as an experimenter, collaborator, theorist and ambassador of film Provides a full and accessible introduction to Cocteau's cinematic project Includes detailed close analysis of individual films such as Le Sang d'un poete and Orphee Provides thematic engagement with all Cocteau's work from a range of interdisciplinary perspectives including film history, war and politics, authorship, collaboration, the body in performance, and gender and sexuality

About this edition

• Publisher: Manchester University Press
• Publication date: 2006
• ISBN 10: 071905883X
• ISBN 13: 9780719058837
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 240