Austrian Cinema: A History [Hardcover]

Robert Von Dassanowsky (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0786420782 | ISBN-13: 978-0786420780 | Publication Date: October 10, 2005

Austria, the multicultural crossroad of the European continent, has been the genesis of many artistic concepts. Just as late 19th and early 20th century Austria gave influential modernism to the world in the fields of medicine, urban planning, architecture, design, literature, music, and theater, so its film industry created a significant national cinema that seeded talents and concepts internationally. Nevertheless, the value of Austrian cinema to international film has been long obscured. Austria’s important bond with American film is also underappreciated because of the lack of accessible English language scholarship on the early careers of Austro-Hollywood artists and on influential developments in Austrian film history. This first comprehensive English survey of Austrian film introduces more than a century of cinema, following the development of the industry chronologically through the nation’s various transformations since 1895. Important industry movements, genres and films are highlighted with sociopolitical, cultural and aesthetic details. An analysis of the economic trends that have influenced Austrian film is also provided. The survey considers the directors, actors, producers, writers, cinematographers, editors, composers and other film artists who have been essential to the development and influence of Austrian cinema. The closing chapter anticipates new faces of the Austrian film industry in the 21st century.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"First full-scale history of Austrian cinema...clearly written and scrupulously researched...superbly thorough...essential" --Choice

"Comprehensive...a must...fill[s] a gaping hole" --Hyde Flippo, The German-Hollywood Connection

"Quite readable...enjoyable" --La Prensa Libre, (San José, Costa Rica)

About the Author

Robert von Dassanowsky is associate professor and chair of languages and cultures and director of film studies at the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs. He is vice president of the Austrian American Film Association and an independent producer.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 328 pages
• Publisher: McFarland & Company (October 10, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786420782
• ISBN-13: 978-0786420780
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 7.2 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,511,528 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A first--and a very good one!, March 14, 2006

By 

D. Gallagher (Los Angeles, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Austrian Cinema: A History (Hardcover)

What a terrific book. There is next to nothing available on Austrian film on any level and this text provides a solid and very readable introduction. I am familiar with Central Europe, so I know something about Austrian history, but this book manages to weave the cinema into the political events so well that I don't have to go find a history book to help me. The author manages to do a theoretical reading of at least one film per era, which enlightens the discussion on a more academic level, but without boring the casual reader. I was particularly fascinated with the reasons for Austria's no-show in 1960s cinema, after so much production in the 1950s and when other Europeans (including the often production partnered Czechoslovakians) were having a New Wave. The chapters on New Austrian Film is also a fine companion to some of these films that are now available in the US. There seems to be almost too much information here, if that is possible! So, for the second edition, and I hope there will be one, the index (names only; very European) needs to be expanded to include other aspects of the text. I am not crazy about the textbook binding, but its a nicely produced book, with some very interesting stills. I have learned a great deal here and continue to come back to the book often.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Finally!, March 17, 2006

By 

Cine-ic (Boston, MA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Austrian Cinema: A History (Hardcover)

A book on Austrian film history (and what a history) with a fine narrative style and details galore. I am looking up everything I never knew! How something like this hasn't been available before is beyond me. Superb.