The Modern Fantastic: The Films of David Cronenberg

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In The Fly, one of Seth Brundle's experiments goes disastrously wrong, and the chimpanzee he was attempting to transport from one telepod to the other ends up in the second device, a quivering mass of flesh; the process of teleportation has turned it inside out and yet it remains in unimaginable agony alive. David Cronenberg is undoubtedly one of the great directors of transgression, violating boundaries between the subjective and the objective and, even more spectacularly, between the human and the non-human. This collection of seven critical essays explores the multifaceted nature of Cronenberg's achievement and ranges from Jonathan Crane's reassessment of Cronenberg's place within horror cinema, to Parveen Adams' intensely focused discussion of Crash. Other essays examine the place of the homoerotic body in Cronenberg's films; view M. Butterfly in relation to modern notions of literature; place the earlier work in its historical context; address the complexity and ambiguity derived from certain fundamental contrasts underpinning much of his work; and discuss some of the shortcomings of critical writings on Cronenberg. The book also includes a recent interview with the director together with a full filmography and bibliography. An important analysis for students and scholars of contemporary film and popular culture.

Reviews

[f]or graduate students and those engaged in advanced film theory-Journal of the Fantastic in the Arts
An excellent bibliography tops off this volume, which is recommended for upper-division undergraduates through professionals.-Choice
This book should be a welcome addition to the research collection of Cronenberg enthusiasts.-Science Fiction Studies
"for graduate students and those engaged in advanced film theory"-Journal of the Fantastic in the Arts
"[f]or graduate students and those engaged in advanced film theory"-Journal of the Fantastic in the Arts
"This book should be a welcome addition to the research collection of Cronenberg enthusiasts."-Science Fiction Studies
"An excellent bibliography tops off this volume, which is recommended for upper-division undergraduates through professionals."-Choice

Author Bio

MICHAEL GRANT is Senior Lecturer in Film Studies at the University of Kent. Among his earlier publications are Dead Ringers and T.S.Eliot: The Critical Heritage as well as numerous articles on poetry, cinema, and aesthetics.