Cities and Cinema (Routledge Critical Introductions to Urbanism and the City)

'Cities and Cinema' discusses the relationship between urbanity and the cinema, outlining a historical development from the early representation of urban modernity to the portrayal of global contemporary cities. Films about cities abound. They provide fantasies for those who recognize their city and those for whom the city is a faraway dream or nightmare. How does cinema rework city planners' hopes and city dwellers' fears of modern urbanism? Can an analysis of city films answer some of the questions posed in urban studies? What kinds of vision for the future and images of the past do city films offer? What are the changes that city films have undergone? Cities and Cinema puts urban theory and cinema studies in dialogue. The book's first section analyzes three important genres of city films that follow in historical sequence, each associated with a particular city, moving from the city film of the Weimar Republic to the film noir associated with Los Angeles and the image of Paris in the cinema of the French New Wave. The second section discusses socio-historical themes of urban studies, beginning with the relationship of film industries and individual cities, continuing with the portrayal of war torn and divided cities, and ending with the cinematic expression of utopia and dystopia in urban science fiction. The last section negotiates the question of identity and place in a global world, moving from the portrayal of ghettos and barrios to the city as a setting for gay and lesbian desire, to end with the representation of the global city in transnational cinematic practices. The book suggests that modernity links urbanism and cinema. It accounts for the significant changes that city film has undergone through processes of globalization, during which the city has developed from an icon in national cinema to a privileged site for transnational cinematic practices. It is a key text for students and researchers of film studies, urban studies and cultural studies Cities And Cinema Puts Urban Theory And Cinema Studies In Dialogue. The Book's First Section Analyzes Three Important Genres Of City Films That Follow In Historical Sequence, Each Associated With A Particular City, Moving From The City Film Of The Weimar Republic To The Film Noir Associated With Los Angeles And The Image Of Paris In The Cinema Of The French New Wave. The Second Section Discusses Socio-historical Themes Of Urban Studies, Beginning With The Relationship Of Film Industries And Individual Cities, Continuing With The Portrayal Of War-torn And Divided Cities, And Ending With The Cinematic Expression Of Utopia And Dystopia In Urban Science Fiction. The Last Section Negotiates The Question Of Identity And Place In A Global World, Moving From The Portrayal Of Ghettos And Barrios To The City As A Setting For Gay And Lesbian Desire, To End With The Representation Of The Global City In Transnational Cinematic Practices. The Book Suggests That Modernity Links Urbanism And Cinema. It Accounts For The Significant Changes That City Film Has Undergone Through Processes Of Globalization, During Which The City Has Developed From An Icon In National Cinema To A Privileged Site For Transnational Cinematic Practices. It Is A Key Text For Students And Researchers Of Film Studies, Urban Studies, And Cultural Studies.--jacket. Introduction : The Founding Myth Of Cinema, Or The Train Effect -- Section I : Modernity And The City Film : Berlin -- The Dark City And Film Noir : Los Angeles -- The City Of Love : Paris -- Section Ii : City Film Industry : Hong Kong -- The City In Ruins And The Divided City : Berlin, Belfast, And Beirut -- Utopia And Dystopia : Fantastic And Virtual Cities -- Section Iii : Ghettos And Barrios -- The City As Queer Playground -- The Global City And Cities In Globalization -- Conclusion : From The Train Effect To The Favela Effect : How To Do Further Research. By Barbara Mennel. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [220]-229) And Index. Includes Filmography: P. [230]-235. "Cities and Cinema puts urban theory and cinema studies in dialogue. The book's first section analyzes three important genres of city films that follow in historical sequence, each associated with a particular city, moving from the city film of the Weimar Republic to the film noir associated with Los Angeles and the image of Paris in the cinema of the French New Wave. The second section discusses socio-historical themes of urban studies, beginning with the relationship of film industries and individual cities, continuing with the portrayal of war-torn and divided cities, and ending with the cinematic expression of utopia and dystopia in urban science fiction. The last section negotiates the question of identity and place in a global world, moving from the portrayal of ghettos and barrios to the city as a setting for gay and lesbian desire, to end with the representation of the global city in transnational cinematic practices." "The book suggests that modernity links urbanism and cinema. It accounts for the significant changes that city film has undergone through processes of globalization, during which the city has developed from an icon in national cinema to a privileged site for transnational cinematic practices. It is a key text for students and researchers of Film Studies, Urban Studies, and Cultural Studies."--Résumé de l'éditeur Book Cover......Page 1 Title......Page 4 Copyright......Page 5 Contents......Page 6 Figures......Page 8 Acknowledgments......Page 10 Introduction: The founding myth of cinema, or the “train effect”......Page 12 SECTION I......Page 30 1 Modernity and the city film: Berlin......Page 32 2 The dark city and film noir: Los Angeles......Page 57 3 The city of love: Paris......Page 72 SECTION II......Page 92 4 City film industry: Hong Kong......Page 94 5 The city in ruins and the divided city: Berlin, Belfast, and Beirut......Page 114 6 Utopia and dystopia: fantastic and virtual cities......Page 141 SECTION III......Page 162 7 Ghettos and barrios......Page 164 8 The city as queer playground......Page 187 9 The global city and cities in globalization......Page 206 Conclusion: from the “train effect” to the “favela effect” – how to do further research......Page 221 Notes......Page 229 Bibliography......Page 231 Filmography......Page 241 Index......Page 247