Contemporary French Cinema - 2nd Edition by Guy Austin (Paperback)

About the Book

Contemporary French cinema is an essential introduction to popular French film of the last 35 years. It charts recent developments in all genres of French cinema with analyses of over 120 movies, from Les Valseuses to Caché.

Reflecting the diversity of French film production since the New Wave, this clear and perceptive study includes chapters on the heritage film, the thriller and the war movie, alongside the 'cinéma du look', representations of sexuality, comedies, the work of women film makers and le jeune cinéma. Each chapter introduces the public reception and critical debates surrounding a given genre, interwoven with detailed accounts of relevant films.

Confirmed as a major contribution to both Film Studies and French Studies, this book is a fascinating volume for students and fans of French film alike.

Book Synopsis

Contemporary French cinema is an essential introduction to popular French film of the last 35 years. It charts recent developments in all genres of French cinema with analyses of over 120 movies, from Les Valseuses to Caché.

Reflecting the diversity of French film production since the New Wave, this clear and perceptive study includes chapters on the heritage film, the thriller and the war movie, alongside the 'cinéma du look', representations of sexuality, comedies, the work of women film makers and le jeune cinéma. Each chapter introduces the public reception and critical debates surrounding a given genre, interwoven with detailed accounts of relevant films.

Confirmed as a major contribution to both Film Studies and French Studies, this book is a fascinating volume for students and fans of French film alike.

From the Back Cover

Contemporary French cinema is an essential introduction to popular French film of the last 35 years. It charts recent developments in all genres of French cinema with analyses of over 120 movies, from Les Valseuses to Caché.

Reflecting the diversity of French film production since the New Wave, this clear and perceptive study includes chapters on the heritage film, the thriller and the war movie, alongside the 'cinéma du look', representations of sexuality, comedies, the work of women film makers and le jeune cinéma. Each chapter introduces the public reception and critical debates surrounding a given genre, interwoven with detailed accounts of relevant films.

Confirmed as a major contribution to both Film Studies and French Studies, this book is a fascinating volume for students and fans of French film alike.

Review Quotes

“Crisp, up-to-date and well-informed, Guy Austin's book traces cinematic attitudes to national identity, sexuality, the changing 'polar' (thriller) and heritage ... A novelty is his treatment of the 'cinéma du look', comprised by the films of Jean-Jacques Beineix, Luc Besson and Léos Carax, contextualised here by writings from French critics." --"Sight and Sound" (on the first edition)

"Crisp, up-to-date and well-informed, Guy Austin's book traces cinematic attitudes to national identity, sexuality, the changing 'polar' (thriller) and heritage ... A novelty is his treatment of the 'cinema du look', comprised by the films of Jean-Jacques Beineix, Luc Besson and Leos Carax, contextualised here by writings from French critics." --"Sight and Sound" (on the first edition)

About the Author

Guy Austin is Reader in French at the University of Sheffield