Political theory and film: From Adorno to Žižek

Abstract

The actions, images and stories within films can impact the political consciousness of viewers, enabling audiences to imagine ways of resisting the status quo politically, economically and culturally. But what does political theory have to say about film? Shoud we explore film theory through a political lens? This book connects the work of eight radical political theorists to eight world-renowned films and shows how the political impact of film on the aesthetic self can lead to the possibility of political resistance. Each chapter considers the work of a core thinker on film, shows its relevance in terms of a specific case study film and then highlights how these films probe political issues in ways that invite viewers to think critically about them, both within the internal logic of the film and in relation to how that might impact externally the way they live their lives--back cover. Machine generated contents note: 1. Introduction: Political Theory and Film -- 2. Theodor Adorno: Charlie Chaplin's Monsieur Verdoux -- 3. Walter Benjamin: Ken Loach's Land and Freedom -- 4. Ernst Bloch: Woody Allen's Midnight in Paris -- 5. Gilles Deleuze: Kleber Mendonca Filho's Neighbouring Sounds -- 6. Alain Badiou: Jia Zhangke's A Touch of Sin -- 7. Jacques Ranciere: Gavin Hood's Rendition -- 8. Julia Kristeva: David Fincher's Fight Club -- 9. Slavoj Zizek: J. C. Chandor's Margin Call -- 10. Conclusion.