The Utopia of Film: Cinema and Its Futures in Godard, Kluge, and Tahimik (Film and Culture Series)

The German filmmaker Alexander Kluge has long promoted cinema's relationship with the goals of human emancipation. Jean-Luc Godard and Filipino director Kidlat Tahimik also believe in cinema's ability to bring about what Theodor W. Adorno once called a "redeemed world." Situating the films of Godard, Tahimik, and Kluge within debates over social revolution, utopian ideals, and the unrealized potential of utopian thought and action, Christopher Pavsek showcases the strengths, weaknesses, and undeniable impact of their utopian visions on film's political evolution. He discusses Godard's __Alphaville__ (1965) against __Germany Year 90 Nine-Zero__ (1991) and __JLG/JLG: Self-portrait in December__ (1994), and he conducts the first scholarly reading of __Film Socialisme__ (2010). He considers Tahimik's virtually unknown masterpiece, __I Am Furious Yellow__ (1981--1991), along with __Perfumed Nightmare__ (1977) and __Turumba__ (1983); and he constructs a dialogue between Kluge's __Brutality in Stone__ (1961) and __Yesterday Girl__ (1965) and his later __The Assault of the Present on the Rest of Time__ (1985) and __Fruits of Trust__ (2009). The German Filmmaker Alexander Kluge Has Long Promoted Cinema's Relationship With The Goals Of Human Emancipation. Jean-luc Godard And Filipino Director Kidlat Tahimik Also Believe In Cinema's Ability To Bring About What Theodor W. Adorno Once Called A Redeemed World, Even In The Face Of New Cultural And Technological Challenges. In Three Groundbreaking Essays, Christopher Pavsek Showcases These Utopian Visions, Drawing Attention To Their Strengths, Weaknesses, And Undeniable Impact On Film's Political Evolution. Pavsek Approaches Godard, Tahimik, And Kluge As Thinkers First, Situating Their Films Within Debates Over Social Revolution, Utopian Ideals, And The Unrealized Potential Of Utopian Thought And Action. He Replays The Battle These Artists Waged Against Hollywood Interests, The Seduction Of Other Digital Media, And The Privileging Of Mass Entertainment Over Cinema's Progressive, Revolutionary Roots. Introduction: The Idea Of Cinema -- What Has Come To Pass For Cinema: From Early To Late Godard -- Kidlat Tahimik's Third World Projector -- The Actuality Of Cinema: Alexander Kluge -- Epilogue. Christopher Pavsek. Includes Bibliographical References (pages [267]-274) And Index. Christopher Pavsek is associate professor of film in the School for the Contemporary Arts at Simon Fraser University in Vancouver. His films include The One and All (2002) and To Those Born After (2005), and he is the translator of Alexander Kluge’s Learning Processes with a Deadly Outcome. PER004030,Performing Arts/Film & Video/History & Criticism,PER004000,Performing Arts/Film and Video/General Exploring the work of three visionary auteurs deeply invested in the political possibilities of film.