Description
Book Synopsisa modern mythography, a study of contemporary Hollywood films based on the tools offered by feminism, psychoanalysis, Marxist cultural theory, and deconstruction. Village VoiceSolidly thought-out observation of the films of the 70's and 80's that comment on the system. Audience . . . intelligent, open advocacy. Its responsible arrangement of carefully described cultural materials will challenge students and instructors alike. Teaching PhilosophyCamera Politica is a comprehensive study of Hollywood film during a period of tremendous change in American history, a period that witnessed the end of the American empire, crises in the economy, a failure of political leadership, loss at war, and the rise of the Right.
Table of ContentsPreface
Introduction
1 From Counterculture to Counterrevolution, 1967-1971
1. Alienation and Rebellion
2. Feminism, Black Radicalism, Student Rebellion
3. The Hollywood Counterrevolution
2 Crisis Films
1. Diaster Films
2. Metaphors of Fear
3. Francis Coppola and the Crisis of Patriarchy
3 Genre Transformations and the Failure of Liberalism
1. Western, Detective, Musical
2. Social Problem Films
3. Conspiracy Films
4 Class, Race, and the New South
1. The Hollywood Working Class
2. Representations of Blacks
3. The New South
5 The Politics of Sexuality
1. The Poisiton of Women
2. From a Male Point of View: Men's Movies and the Return of Romance
3. The Family and the New Sexuality
6 Horror Films
1. The Occult
2. Monsters
3. Brian De Palma and the Slash and Gash Cycles
7 Vietnam and the New Militarism
1. Debating Vietman
2. The Military Rehabilited
3. The New Militarism
8 Return of the Hero: Entrepreneur, Patriarch, Warrior
1. The Triumph of Individualism—From Man to Superman
2. George Lucas's Strategic Defense Initiatives
3. The Leadership Principle—From Movie Brats to Movie Moguls
9 Fantasy Films
1. Technophobia
2. Dystopias
3. At Home with Steven Spielberg
10 The Politics of Representation
1. On the Left Edge of Hollywood
2. Within the Hollywood Codes: Political Films
3. Beyond Hollywood: The Independent Sector
Conclusion: Film and Politics
Postface
Appendix
Notes
Selected Bibliography
Index
