World Cinema through Global Genres

World Cinema through Global Genres offers a new response to recent trends in internationalism that shape the increasingly global character of movies. Costanzo is able to render the complex forces of global filmmaking accessible to students; instead of tracing the long histories of cinema country by country, this innovative textbook uses engaging, recent films like Hero (China), Monsoon Wedding (India), and Central Station (Brazil) as entry points, linking them to comparable American and European films. The book’s cluster–based organization allows students to acquire a progressively sharper understanding of core issues about genre, aesthetics, industry, culture, history, film theory, and representation that apply to all films around the world.  Students are empowered to look through the lens of genre for reasons behind the similarities and differences among movies made at home and abroad. They come to understand how today’s films are part of a dynamic world phenomenon, drawing on local traditions and foreign influences to meet the needs and desires of an increasingly multicultural, globally conscious audience. By studying the cultural flows and cross–currents shaping global genres, readers form a deeper appreciation not only of the films and their stories, but also of the people, societies, and beliefs behind these films. Online resources for instructors, including sample syllabi, lesson plans, student assignments and filmographies, can be found at www.wiley.com/go/costanzo .

Acknowledgments Preface How to Use This Book INTRODUCTION The Business of Cinema The Technology of Cinema The Art of Cinema The Social Side of Cinema Redrawing the Political Map Globalization, Globalism, and Global Cinema Analyzing a Film Watching Foreign Films Studying Genres Mythical Dimensions UNIT I Chapter 1: The Warrior Hero Deep Focus on Chinese Cinemas Close–up: The Magnificent Seven Close–up: Seven Samurai Close–up: Sholay Close–up: Way of the Dragon UNIT II Chapter 2: The Wedding Film Deep Focus on Indian Cinemas Close–up: My Big Fat Greek Wedding Close–up: Monsoon Wedding Close–up: The Wedding Banquet Close–up: Wedding in Galilee UNIT III Chapter 3: The Horror Film Deep Focus on Japanese Cinemas Close–up: Halloween Close–up: Suspiria Close–up: The Devil’s Backbone Close–up: Ring UNIT IV Chapter 4: The Road Movie Deep Focus on Latin American Cinemas Close–up: Thelma & Louise Close–up: La Strada Close–up: Breathless Close–up: Motorcycle Diaries Glossary Index

William Costanzo is a SUNY Distinguished Teaching Professor of English and Film at Westchester Community College in Valhalla, New York, where he teaches courses in writing, literature, and film studies. Dr. Costanzo has previously published five books on film, writing, and computers, including Reading the Movies (1992), Great Films and How to Teach Them (2004) and The Writer’s Eye (2008). He currently serves on the Society for Cinema and Media Studies Teaching Committee.