Abel Gance and the End of Silent Cinema: Sounding out Utopia by Paul Cuff (Engli

Description: Abel Gance and the End of Silent Cinema by Paul Cuff This book explores the creation and destruction of Abel Gances most ambitious film project, and seeks to explain why his meteoric career was so nearly extinguished at the end of silent cinema. Gances first sound film, La Fin du Monde (1930), was a critical and financial disaster so great that it nearly destroyed his career. FORMAT Paperback LANGUAGE English CONDITION Brand New Publisher Description This book explores the creation and destruction of Abel Gances most ambitious film project, and seeks to explain why his meteoric career was so nearly extinguished at the end of silent cinema. By 1929, Gance was Frances most famous director. Acclaimed for his technical innovation and visual imagination, he was also admonished for the excessive length and expense of his productions. Gances first sound film, La Fin du Monde (1930), was a critical and financial disaster so great that it nearly destroyed his career. But what went wrong? Gance claimed it was commercial sabotage whilst critics blamed the directors inexperience with new technology. Neither excuse is satisfactory. Based on extensive archival research, this book re-investigates the cultural background and aesthetic consequences of Gances transition from silent filmmaking to sound cinema. La Fin du Monde is revealed to be only one element of an extraordinary cultural project to transformcinema into a universal religion and propagate its power through the League of Nations. From unfinished films to unrealized social revolutions, the reader is given a fascinating tour of Gances lost cinematic utopia. Back Cover This book explores the creation and destruction of Abel Gances most ambitious film project, and seeks to explain why his meteoric career was so nearly extinguished at the end of silent cinema. By 1929, Gance was Frances most famous director. Acclaimed for his technical innovation and visual imagination, he was also admonished for the excessive length and expense of his productions. Gances first sound film, La Fin du Monde (1930), was a critical and financial disaster so great that it nearly destroyed his career. But what went wrong? Gance claimed it was commercial sabotage whilst critics blamed the directors inexperience with new technology. Neither excuse is satisfactory. Based on extensive archival research, this book re-investigates the cultural background and aesthetic consequences of Gances transition from silent filmmaking to sound cinema. La Fin du Monde is revealed to be only one element of an extraordinary cultural project to transform cinema into a universal religion and propagate its power through the League of Nations. From unfinished films to unrealized social revolutions, the reader is given a fascinating tour of Gances lost cinematic utopia. Author Biography Paul Cuff is an Associate Fellow in the Department of Film and Television Studies, University of Warwick, UK. He has produced work on Abel Gance, Sherlock Holmes, Buster Keaton, and Spike Milligan. His first monograph, A revolution for the screen: Abel Gances Napoléon, was published in 2015. Table of Contents Preface: The sublime and the ridiculous.-Part I: Overcoming the past.- Introduction.- 1. In the shadow of war.- 2. Towards utopia.- 3. Prophets of the future.- 4. Cinema and the life of space.- Summary: Part I.- Part II: Impossible dreams.- Introduction.- 5. Artistic integrity and industrial change.- 6. A history of incompletion.- Summary: Part II.- Part III: The marvels of ruins.- Introduction.- 7. Passion and performance.- 8. Fighting to be heard.- 9. The world on fire.- Summary: Part III.- Conclusion: "Why have I been only what I am?". Feature First monograph dedicated to Abel Gances career during the transition to sound (and only the second monograph on Gance in the last 30 years) Draws on extensive investigation of primary sources Features previously unseen archival material Offers critical reconstitution of La Fin du Monde, revealing for the first time its original design Provides insight into Gances unrealized artistic and political projects during 1910s-30s Details ISBN331981754X Author Paul Cuff Year 2018 ISBN-10 331981754X ISBN-13 9783319817545 Format Paperback DEWEY 306.09 Pages 241 Publisher Springer International Publishing AG Publication Date 2018-07-06 Imprint Springer International Publishing AG Place of Publication Cham Country of Publication Switzerland Subtitle Sounding out Utopia Short Title Abel Gance and the End of Silent Cinema Language English UK Release Date 2018-07-06 Illustrations 21 Illustrations, black and white; XXXII, 241 p. 21 illus. Edition Description Softcover reprint of the original 1st ed. 2016 Alternative 9783319388175 Audience Professional & Vocational We've got this At The Nile, if you're looking for it, we've got it. With fast shipping, low prices, friendly service and well over a million items - you're bound to find what you want, at a price you'll love! TheNile_Item_ID:132139633;

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