Description
Book Synopsis While histories of Czech cinema often highlight the quality of Czechoslovak New Wave films made in the 1960s, post-socialist Czech cinema receives little attention. Through a methodology of historical reception, Stories between Tears and Laughter explores how attitudes towards post-socialist Czech cinema have shifted from viewing it as radical “art cinema” and more towards popular cinema. By analyzing publicity materials, reviews, and articles, Richard Vojvoda offers a new perspective on the notions of cultural value and quality that have been shaping the history of post-socialist Czech cinema.
Table of Contents Introduction: Canons of Czech Cinema
Chapter 1. Negotiating ‘the National’ in Kolya
Chapter 2. Popular Pleasures, Cinema Traditions, and the Invisible Family Film
Chapter 3. ‘Up to Speed?’ Comfort and the Shifting Critical Discourse of Quality
Chapter 4. Cutting Ties with the Term ‘Czech Film’: Genre, Extremity and Canons
Conclusions: Shifting Value of the Retro Film
