By: Jean-Pierre Boulé, Enda McCaffrey
At the heart of this volume is the assertion that Sartrean existentialism, most prominent in the 1940s, particularly in France, is still relevant as a way of interpreting the world today. Film, by reflecting philosophical concerns in the actions and choices of characters, continues and extends a tradition in which art exemplifies the understanding of existentialist philosophy. In a scholarly yet accessible style, the contributors exploit the rich interplay between Sartre’s philosophy, plays and novels, and a number of contemporary films including No Country for Old Men, Lost in Translation and The Truman Show, with film-makers including the Dardenne brothers, Michael Haneke, and Mike Leigh. This volume will be of interest to students who are coming to Sartre’s work for the first time and to those who would like to read films within an existentialist perspective.
"Existentialism and Contemporary Cinema: A Sartrean Perspective" is a book edited by Jean-Pierre Boulé and Enda McCaffrey, focusing on the intersection of existentialist philosophy and contemporary cinema. Here is a comprehensive overview of the book:
The book does not have a single narrative plot but rather a collection of essays and analyses. Each chapter or section focuses on a specific film or group of films that exemplify existentialist themes. The editors and contributors examine the ways in which these films reflect and critique existentialist philosophy, providing insights into the human condition.
In summary, "Existentialism and Contemporary Cinema: A Sartrean Perspective" offers a rich exploration of how existentialist philosophy intersects with contemporary cinema, providing a nuanced understanding of human existence through the lens of film analysis.