Adaptation and the avant-garde
Subtitle: alternative perspectives on adaptation theory and practice
By: William Verrone
Publisher: Continuum
Published: 2011
Place of publication: New York
Language: eng
Number of pages: 275
ISBN-13: 9781441163523
Subjects: History and criticism; Film adaptations; Experimental films
Description: Adaptations have occurred regularly since the beginning of cinema, but little recognition has been given to avant-garde adaptations of literary or other texts. This compelling study corrects such omissions by detailing the theory and practice of alternative adaptation practices from major avant-garde directors. Avant-Garde films are often relegated to the margins because they challenge our traditional notions of what film form and style can accomplish. Directors who choose to adapt previous material run the risk of severe critical dismay; making films that are highly subjective interpretations or representations of existing texts takes courage and foresight. An avant-garde adaptation provokes spectators by making them re-think what they know about film itself, just as much as the previous source material. Adaptation and the Avant-Garde examines films by Peter Greenaway, Jean-Luc Godard, Guy Maddin, Jan Svankmajer and many others, offering illuminating insights and making us reconsider the nature of adaptation, appropriation, borrowing, and the re-imagining of previous sources
Notes: Includes bibliographical references and index.
Table of contents: title: Introduction; title: Defining the avant-garde film; title: Adaptation theory and practice; title: Appropriation; title: The exploitative adaptation; title: Why avant-garde?; title: A brief narrative history of avant-garde adaptation or, some instances of avant-garde adaptation; title: Case studies. The fall of the house of Usher; title: Scorpio rising; title: Fruit of paradise; title: Hitler, a film from Germany; title: Street of crocodiles; title: The Dante quartet; title: Alice; title: Prospero's books; title: Wisconsin death trip; title: Specters of the spectrum; title: Dracula, pages from a virgin's diary; title: Conclusion.