Customer Reviews

Austrian Cinema: A History

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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.

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.