Film guides and reviews Books

Book SynopsisThis book examines small cinemas and their presentation of society in times of crisis and conflict from an interdisciplinary and intercultural point of view. The authors concentrate on economic, social and political challenges and point to new phenomena which have been exposed by film directors. They present essays on, among others, Basque cinema; gendered controversies in post-communist small cinemas in Slovakia and Czech Republic; ethnic stereotypes in the works of Polish filmmakers; stereotypical representation of women in Japanese avant-garde; post-communist political myths in Hungary; the separatist movements of Catalonia; people in diasporas and during migrations. In view of these timely topics, the book touches on the most serious social and political problems. The films discussed provide an excellent platform for enhancing debates on politics, gender, migration and new aesthetics in cinema at departments of history, sociology, literature and film.Table of ContentsSmall cinemas – European cinemas – Mockumentary – Japanese avant-garde – Migration and diasporas – Gender stereotypes in East Central Europe – Ethnic stereotypes – Revisionist historiography – Post-industrial landscape – «The excluded»

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Book SynopsisThe name Alfred Hitchcock is synonymous with suspense—that is to say, masterful, spine-tingling, thrilling, shocking, excruciating, eye-boggling suspense. With triumphs such as Rebecca, Vertigo, Rear Window, and Psycho, Hitchcock (1899–1980) fashioned a new level of cinematic intrigue and fear through careful pacing, subtlety, and suggestiveness. This complete guide traces Hitchcock’s life and career from his earliest silent films right through to his last picture in 1976, Family Plot. Updated with fresh images, the book combines detailed entries for each of Hitchcock’s 53 films, an incisive essay that sheds light on his fear-inducing devices, photos of the master at work, and an illustrated list of each of his cameos, together adding up to a movie buff’s dream.Trade Review“A real treat… This book provides a real insight into Hitchcock’s unique and complex approach to film-making.” * The New Zealand Herald *

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Book SynopsisA prolific film industry has flourished on the banks of the Nile since the earliest days of cinema, producing movies that have been hugely popular and immensely influential not only in Egypt but across the Arab world. Concentrating on productions written and produced entirely in Egypt, Sameh Fathy—a film critic with an encyclopedic knowledge of the history of Egyptian cinema—here selects the 101 most important movies to come out of Cairo’s famous studios over the last eighty years. From classic comedies like Salam Is Fine to social dramas like The Second Wife, and from literary adaptations like Call of the Curlew to masterpieces of the cinematic art like The Night of Counting the Years, the author introduces us to each film’s writers, producers, directors, and stars, and explains the movie’s particular historical, cultural, or artistic significance. Illustrated throughout with posters and stills from all the movies covered.Trade Review"“Beautifully conceived and long overdue—well written with an authoritative voice . . . . There is nothing else like this available for an English-reading audience.”—Joel Gordon, University of Arkansas, ""Film institutions and the vast cinema audience can do no less than to reward the author of this work by acquiring a copy of this beautiful and important book.""—Mohamed Salmawy, al-Ahram"Table of Contents1. Salama fi kheir (Salama Is Fine) (1937) 2. al-`Azima (Determination) (1939) 3. Safir Guhannam (Ambassador to Hell) (1945) 4. Fatima (Fatima) (1947) 5. Ghazl al-Banat (The Flirtation of Girls) (1949) 6. Usta Hassan (Hassan the Master Craftsman) (1952) 7. Raya wa Sakina (Raya and Sakina) (1953) 8. Hamidu (Hamidu) (1953) 9. Sira’ fil Wadi (Struggle in the Valley) (1954) 10. al-Wahsh (The Beast) (1954) 11. Ga’alouny Mugriman (They Made Me A Criminal) (1954) 12. Hayat Aw Mawt (Life or Death) (1954) 13. Darb al-Mahabil (Alley of Fools) (1955) 14. Shabab Imra’a (Youth of A Woman) (1956) 15. Sira’ fil Mina (Struggle on the Pier) (1956) 16. Ayna `Omry (Where Did My Life Go?) (1956) 17. Raseef Nemra Khamsa (Platform No. 5) (1956) 18. al-Futuwwa (The Bully) (1957) 19. Inta Habibi (You Are My Love) (1957) 20. Tamr Henna (Tamr Henna) (1957) 21. Port Sa`id (Port Said) (1957) 22. al-Wisada al-Khaliya (The Empty Pillow) (1957) 23. La Anam (I Don’t Sleep) (1957) 24. Toggar al-Mawt (Merchants of Death) (1957) 25. Rudda Qalbi (Return My Heart) (1957) 26. Bab al-Hadid (Cairo Station) (1958) 27. al-Tareeq al-Masdood (The Closed Path) (1958) 28. Saher al-Nisaa’ (The Ladies’ Man) (1958) 29. Sultan (Sultan) (1958) 30. Shari` al-Hob (Love Street) (1958) 31. al-Akh al-Kabir (The Elder Brother) (1958) 32. Djamilah Bu-Hreid (Djamilahataba) (1958) 33. Imra’a fil-Tariq (Woman on the Road) (1958) 34. Ana Horra (A Free Woman) (1959) 35. al-`Ataba al-Khadra (Ataba Sqaure) (1959) 36. `Ashat lil-Hob (She Lived for Love) (1959) 37. Ihna al-Talamza (We, the Students) (1959) 38. Du’a’ al-Karawan (The Nightingale’s Prayer) (1959) 39. al-Radjul al-Thani (The Second Man) (1959) 40. Sira` fil Nil (Struggle on the Nile) (1959) 41. Law’at al-Hob (Agony of Love) (1960) 42. Souq al-Silah (Arms Market) (1960) 43. Bidaya wa Nihaya (Beginning and End) (1960) 44. Fi Baytina Radjul (A Man in Our House) (1961) 45. Dimaa’ `ala al-Nil (Blood on the Nile) (1961) 46. Tariq al-Domou` (Path of Tears) (1961) 47. La Tutfi’ Al Shams (Don’t Turn Out The Sun) (1961) 48. al-Khataya (Sins) (1962) 49. al-Zaudja Raqam 13 (Wife No. 13) (1962) 50. al-Liss wa-l-Kilab (The Thief and the Dogs) (1962) 51. al-Nasir Salah al-Din (Saladin the Victorious) (1963) 52. al-Naddara al-Sawdaa’ (Dark Glasses) (1963) 53. Om al-`Arusa (Mother of the Bride) (1963) 54. al-Aydi al-Na’emah (Soft Hands) (1963) 55. Bayn al-Qasrayn (Palace Walk) (1964) 56. al-Tariq (The Road) (1964) 57. al-Haram (Sin) (1965) 58. al-Mustahil (The Impossible) (1965) 59. Hareb min al-Ayyam (Fugitive from the Days) (1965) 60. Mirati Mudir `Am (My Wife, the Director General) (1969) 61. al-Qahirah 30 (Cairo 30) (1966) 62. al-Simman wal-Kharif (Quail in Autumn) (1967) 63. al-Zaudja al-Thaniya (The Second Wife) (1967) 64. al-Bustagi (The Postman) (1968) 65. al-Radjul allathi Faqada Zilluh (The Man Who Lost His Shadow) (1968) 66. Shay’ min al-Khof (A Touch of Fear) (1969) 67. Miramar (Miramar) (1969) 68. Bi’r al-Hirman (The Well of Privation) (1969) 69. al-Ard (The Land) (1970) 70. Ghurub wa Shuruq (A Sunset and a Sunrise) (1970) 71. al-Sarab (The Mirage) (1970) 72. Imra’ah wa Radjul (A Woman and a Man) (1971) 73. Tharthara Fauq al-Nil (Adrift on the Nile) (1971) 74. Zaudjati wa-l-Kalb (My Wife and the Dog) (1971) 75. Kelmet Sharaf (Word of Honor) (1972) 76. Qa’ al-Madina (Dregs of the City) (1974) 77. al-Mumya’ (The Mummy) (1975) 78. Uridu Hallan (I Want a Solution) (1975) 79. al-Karnak (The Karnak) (1976) 80. al-Mudhnibun (The Guilty) (1976) 81. al-Saqqa Mat (The Water Carrier is Dead) (1977) 82. Wa La Yazal al-Tahqiq Mustamirran (Investigation Still in Progress) (1980) 83. Ahl al-Qimma (People at the Top) (1980) 84. Maw’id `Ala al-`Ashaa’ (A Dinner Date) (1981) 85. al-`Ar (Shame) (1982) 86. Sawaq al-Utubis (The Bus Driver) (1982) 87. al-Harif (Street Player) (1983) 88. al-Bari’ (The Innocent Man) (1986) 89. al-Gou’ (Hunger) (1986) 90. al-Tawq wa-l-Iswirah (The Collar and the Bracelet) (1986) 91. Gary al-Wuhoosh (Wild Beasts) (1987) 92. Darbat Ma’allim (Masterstroke) (1987) 93. Zaudjat Radjul Mohem (The Wife of an Important Man) (1987) 94. Asdiqaa’ al-Shaytan (Friends with the Devil) (1988) 95. Qalb al-Layl (The Heart of the Night) (1989) 96. Ayyam al-Ghadab (Days of Rage) (1989) 97. al-KitKat (KitKat) (1991) 98. Inzaar bal-Ta’a (Obedience Law) (1993) 99. Tuyur al-Zalam (Birds of Darkness) (1995) 100. Afareet al-Asfalt (Demons of the Asphalt) (1980) 101. `Imarat Ya’qubyan (The Yacoubian Building) (2006)

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