The Story of Film
by Mark Cousins (2004)
Taking his cue from H.R. Gombrich’s The Story of Art, Mark Cousins paints a broad sweep of film history, chronologically arranged from its conception in late 19th century, “silent” to “sound” and then “digital” in 21st century, focusing on those whose originality — “schema with variations” instead of Gombrich’s “schema with corrections” — he considered has altered the landmarks of film-making.
While his selection is arguably more multifarious (covering cinemas in Europe, Africa, Asia, Australasia and South America), especially compared to other laymen’s film history books that tend to focus too much on “Hollywood Classics” and a few well-known works and directors, indubitably his choices will be open to question and debate, but Cousins held his water, arguing that he based his choice not on his personal favourites, but rather on the depth of influences of the films on later ones. In fact, he challenges the deep-entrenched definition of Classic Cinema, proposing rather “closed romantic realism” for the likes of Gone with the Wind while saving the “Classic” title for the films of Ozu, although in no way proposing that Ozu is the greatest film-maker, rather applying the definition in terms of Ozu’s balance. For the most part, I leaned to think that his definitions work better.
The book is engaging and breezily accessible with noticeable lack of jargons and technical specifics while at the same time demonstrating how film-makers manipulate cinematic techniques to achieve their effects in context and reflection of the socio-political themes of the era. It is aimed for general reader without any assumed prior knowledge, yet due to its breadth of coverage with plenty of still images, references, index and further readings, it will also be a valuable, up-to-date resource for media/cultural undergraduates.
Tags:cinema, culture, fim, history
art, Cousins, Mark, film, history, Recommended
August 22, 2007 @ 3:32 am | 2 Comments
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August 27th, 2007at 1:11 am(#)
hai, then do u agree that ozu is one of the greatest???do you routinely read film book??what are your favorite???
Some favorite of mine are Bunuel’s My Last Sigh, and Manny Farber’s Negative Space.
Nice to find you
PS: have u seen Farokhzad’s House is Black??My Iranian film experiences are dominated mostly by Kiarostami and the Makhmalbaf clan only.
And do u familiar with the works of Sembene, I only have his Xala, but still waiting to be watched.
Cheers.
August 27th, 2007at 2:43 am(#)
Hi Yuki,
The point in Cousins’ definition of Ozu as the personification of “classic cinema” I think is not to say that Ozu is the greatest film-maker, rather saying that Ozu personifies that balance in “form” and “content” (much apologies for the lack of coherence & fluency — I don’t have the book with me at the moment). To that extent, I reckon his revisionist definition works better in giving long-due credits and expanding the canon to other world cinemas rather than limiting it to the usual Hollywood classics, which he redefines as “closed romantic realism”. I personally think “closed romantic realism” hits the spot even if it’s rather long-winded and (too consciously?) politically correct.
I don’t routinely read film books actually, basically I’ve only just started dipping my toes by grabbing whatever is available (& cheap) within my proximities. The ones I’ve read are mainly aimed for general readers: Monaco’s (old 70s/80s ed IINM), Cousins’, Sadr’s, Bondanella’s Italian Cinema and, well, some Sontag’s essays. I love Farber’s lucidity & critical opinions, but although I tend to agree with most of his assessment, I don’t think I share his taste nor distaste, e.g. I know Bergman”s and Fellini’s films are rife with pseudo-intellectual wankeries, but I enjoy their carnivalesque.
I’ve watched The House is Black, but I haven’t seen many Iranian films either (just a few handfuls of Kiarostami, Makhmalbafs (only Samira & Mohsen), Panahi, and The Day I Became I Woman. I dislike Majidi though…). Still trying to get The Cow but the d/l is stuck.
I only have Moolade actually, but in VHS (recorded) and not with me right now. Let me know what you think of Xala! I’ve been hearing recommendations on Black Girl.
And nice of you to drop by too, pleasure is all mine. I’ve just moved back to Indonesia and am still rather at loss with what resources are available and where to look for films & books. If you wouldn’t mind giving me some tips & pointers, that’d be appreciated muchly!
Cheers,
kat