The fright of real tears : Krzysztof Kieślowski between theory and post-theory

Film theory is in crisis. The dominant psychoanalytical paradigm is contested by cognitive models and post-theory. In the background is a wider crisis in cultural studies, particularly as regards the public role of the politically engaged intellectual. In this major new study Slavoj Zizek challenges both cognitivist-historicist accounts of cinema and conventional film theory. Arguing that the reading of Lacan operative in the '70s and '80s was particularly reductive, Zizek asserts that there is "another Lacan," in reference to whom film theory, cultural studies, and critical thought as such can be transformed and revitalized. He supports and expands this argument with an extensive reading of the work of Kieslowski and, in a substantial appendix, with a discussion of the relationship between Christianity, Gothicism and the "progressive digitalisation of our life-world." Theory In Film Studies, As Elsewhere, Is In Crisis. The Once-dominant Psychoanalytic Paradigm Is Contested By Cognitive Models And 'post-theory'. In The Background Is A Wider Crisis In Cultural Studies, Particularly As Regards The Public Role Of The Politically-engaged Intellectual. In This Major New Study Slavoj Z̆iz̆ek Challenges Both Cognitivist-historicist Accounts Of Cinema, And Conventional Film Theory. Urging A More Complex Understanding Of Lacan, Z̆iz̆ek Seeks To Revitalise Psychoanalytic Approaches To Cinema, In Defiance Of The Reductions Of Post-theory, And In So Doing Opens Up New Pathways In Cultural And Critical Thought. Z̆iz̆ek's Theoretical Arguments Are Substantiated By Provocative And Illuminating Analyses Of The Work Of The Polish Director Krzysztof Kieślowski (1941-96), From His Early Documentary Films Of Everyday Life To The Celebrated Decalogue And Three Colours Series. In Addition Z̆iz̆ek Embroiders His Text With Characteristically Dazzling Asides - Concerned With Everything From Christian Doctrine And The New Age Obscurities Of Much Of Today's Popular Culture To The Nature Of Cyberspace, The Films Of David Lynch, 'multivitamin'-flavoured Fruit Drinks, And Kleist's Reading Of Kant. -- From Back Cover. The Universal: Suture Revisited -- Universality And Its Exception -- Back To The Suture -- The Short-circuit -- The Particular: Sinthoms, Sinthoms Everywhere -- 'now I've Got Glycerine!' -- Run, Witek, Run -- Children Of A Lesser God -- The Individual: Lacrimae Rerum -- Displaced Commandments -- Network -- To Live A Lie -- The Silent Father -- Retrieved Choices -- 'happiness Also Has Its Tears'. Slavoj Žižek. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [183]-206) And Index. Table of Contents 3 Preface 4 Introduction 7 PART ONE THE UNIVERSAL: SUTURE REVISITED 16 Chapter OneUniversality and its Exception 17 Chapter TwoBack to the Suture 35 Chapter ThreeThe Short-Circuit 59 Part TwoTHE PARTICULAR:SINTHOMS, SINTHOMS EVERYWHERE 73 Chapter Four'Now I've got glycerine!' 74 Chapter FiveRun.Witek, Run 81 Chapter SixChildren of a Lesser God 96 Part ThreeTHE INDIVIDUAL: LACRIMAE RERUM 111 Chapter SevenDisplaced Commandments 112 Chapter EightRetrieved Choices 137 Chapter Nine'Happiness also has its tears' 156 Notes 183 List of Illustrations 207 Index 208