Close-Up: Great Cinematic Performances Volume 2: International (International Film Stars)

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1474431801 ISBN 13: 9781474431804

Publisher: Edinburgh University Press, 2019

This two-volume set presents detailed interpretations of singular performances by several of the most compelling actors in cinema history, asking in many different and complementary ways what makes performance meaningful, how it reflects a director's style, as well as how it contributes to the development of national cinemas and cultures. Whether noting the precise ways actors shape film narrative, achieve emotional effect, or move toward political subversion, the essays in these books innovate new approaches to studying screen performance as an art form and cultural force. This second volume focuses on international cinema, and includes case studies of key performances from actors like Ingrid Bergman, Gael Garcia Bernal, Nikolai Cherkassov, Alec Guinness, Setsuko Hara, Isabelle Huppert, Peter Lorre, Madhubala, Anna Magnani, Toshir Mifune, and Choi Min Sik, amongst many others. Contributors: Ulka Anjaria (Brandeis University), Janet Bergstrom (UCLA), Hye Seung Chung (Colorado State University), Corey K. Creekmur (University of Iowa), Adrian Danks (RMIT University, Melbourne), Nick Davis (Northwestern University), David Desser (University of Illinois), David Scott Diffrient (Colorado State University), Victoria Duckett (Deakin University, Melbourne), Jason Jacobs (University of Queensland), Alexia Kannas (RMIT University, Melbourne), Marcia Landy (University of Pittsburgh), Gina Marchetti (Independent Scholar), Douglas McFarland (Flagler College, Saint Augustine), Adrienne L. McLean (University of Texas at Dallas), Jerry Mosher (California State University, Long Beach), Karla Oeler (Stanford University), R. Barton Palmer (Clemson University), Homer B. Pettey (University of Arizona), Murray Pomerance (Ryerson University), Sergio Rigoletto (University of Oregon), Kyle Stevens (Appalachian State University), Aaron Taylor (University of Lethbridge), Alison Taylor (Bond University, Queensland), Dolores Tierney (University of Sussex), Noah Tsika (Queens College, City University of New York), Timotheus Vermeulen (University of Oslo)

Review:

"Pomerance and Stevens's collection adds a significant international scope to the field. In volume 1, America, standouts include Anna Everett on Ethel Waters's resistance in The Member of the Wedding and Lucy Fischer on Bette Davis and metaperformance in the studio era. In volume 2, International, performances from Western Europe to Asia are examined. Noteworthy among the contributions are Douglas McFarland on Toshiro Mifune, Kyle Stevens on Michel Serrault in La cage aux folles, and Noah Tsika on Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde in Mortal Inheritance." -- S. Mabee, Ozarks Technical Community College, CHOICE

About the Author:

Murray Pomerance is an independent scholar living in Toronto. He is the author of many books including The Man Who Knew Too Much (BFI, 2016), A King of Infinite Space (Oberon, 2017) and Moment of Action: Riddles of Cinematic Performance (Rutgers, 2016). Kyle Stevens is Assistant Professor of Film Studies at Appalachian State University.