Small Cinemas in Global Markets: Genres, Identities, Narratives

(Hardback)

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Small Cinemas in Global Markets addresses aspects such as identity, revisiting the past, internationalized genres, new forms of experimental cinema, markets and production, as well as technological developments of alternative small screens that open new perspectives into small cinema possibilities. Small and big markets for small industries reveal an unimagined diversification of the cultural product and consequently the need to analyze the impact at local, regional, and global levels. Much needed to continue and expand the existing scholarship in the field, this volume is based on research by authors who approach their subject from Western theoretical perspectives with a professional (mostly native) knowledge of the language, cultural realities, and film industry practices. It covers aspects from fifteen different countries, including Bolivia, Brazil, China (Hong Kong), Croatia, East Africa (Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda), Greece, Indonesia, Lithuania, Bulgaria, Poland, Romania, Morocco, and the United States. Since both film and documentary distribution from certain areas of the globe on international markets remains problematic, it is important for the academic field to discuss and circulate them as much as possible, and to create the basis for further exploration. Documenting and reflecting on the role, state, and reception of the film industry provides scholarly understanding to the industrys wide range of seemingly chaotic technological transformations.

Reviews

This collection draws together cutting edge engagements that prove the grandeur of small cinema. It offers simultaneously critical investigations of the designation small cinema, and overviews of the production conditions in our complexly connected globalized world. It challenges older national and counter-cinematic models of analysis and establishes new paradigms for analyzing the moving-images of the twenty-first century. -- Randall Halle, University of Pittsburgh
These chapters explore a wide range of films through different approaches and analytical methodologies. The contributors persuasively argue for an expanded definition of small cinema, based upon an array of criteria from geopolitical provenance to innovative format. -- Nevena Dakovi, University of Arts in Belgrade
The editors of this timely volume build on influential work on minor cinemas and on related concepts such as small, peripheral, regional, minoritarian, ethnic, local, private and political. At the same time, in what is probably the greatest merit of the book, they refuse to impose a taxonomy on these cinemas or try to make certain films fit standard organizing grids. Theme, genre, historical period, and geography intersect as structuring concepts in the fourteen chapters, which cover evolving and hybrid genres, new markets, funding strategies, and identities. -- Anik Imre, University of Southern California

Author Bio

Lenuta Giukin is associate professor of French language and literature at the State University of New York in Oswego. Janina Falkowska is professor in the Department of Film Studies at the University of Western Ontario. David Desser is emeritus professor of cinema studies and comparative and world literatures at the University of Illinois.