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Jean Renoir

An analysis of all Jean Renoir's sound films, including those he made in Hollywood. Giving an account of critical debates concerning Renoir, and focusing on hitherto neglected areas such as gender, nation and ethnicity, the book asks us to rethink our understanding of Renoir's political commitment. Renoir's career traverses some of the major crises and transformations that have marked France in the 20th century. This text traces his output from the silent period to the age of television, tying his work into a fast-shifting, socio-historical context. Detailed analyses of his sound films map his evolving style while individual chapters cover his career and writings, critical debates, the silent and early sound films, the Popular Front period, "Renoir Americain" and the later films.

Laurent Cantet

"This is the first book-length study of [Laurent] Cantet's work in English. It explores his unique working method and discusses his very particular way of constructing films at the uneasy interface of the individual, the group and the broader social context. The books shows how the roots of his well-known later films can be found in his little-studied early works, and goes on to explore all his major fictions, from Ressources humaines to Foxfire, combining careful close analysis with attention to broader cinematic, social and political contexts."--Back coverLaurent Cantet is of one France's leading contemporary directors. In a series of important films, including Human Resources, Time Out, Heading South, The Class and Foxfire, he takes stock of the modern world from the workplace, through the schoolroom and the oppressive small town to the world of international sex tourism. His films drive the hidden forces that weigh on individuals and groups into view but also show characters who are capable of reflection and reaction. If the films make their protagonists rethink their place in the world, they also challenge the positions of the viewer and the director. This is what makes them so worthy of study. Combining a fine eye for detail with broad contextual awareness, this book gives an account of all Cantet's works, from the early short films to the major works. Martin O'Shaughnessy is a leading international writer on French cinema, especially in film and politics. -- .

Online EBSCO Academic Comprehensive Collection

Laurent Cantet

Laurent Cantet is of one France's leading contemporary directors. In a series of important films, including Human Resources, Time Out, Heading South, The Class and Foxfire, he takes stock of the modern world from the workplace, through the schoolroom and the oppressive small town to the world of international sex tourism. His films drive the hidden forces that weigh on individuals and groups into view but also show characters who are capable of reflection and reaction. If the films make their protagonists rethink their place in the world, they also challenge the positions of the viewer and the director. This is what makes them so worthy of study. Combining a fine eye for detail with broad contextual awareness, this book gives an account of all Cantet's works, from the early short films to the major works. Martin O'Shaughnessy is a leading international writer on French cinema, especially in film and politics. -- .