[Reader-list] Realism and Cinema

[Rashmi Sawhney]

Thanks, Yousuf. I'll have a look at the book you suggest.
A specific question that I'm thinking about is about the dynamics
between realism and melodrama in Indian cinema. Could a film that uses
continuity editing, and a classic Hollywood style of realism as its
guiding cinematic technique also allow for the resolution of the
conflict in the plot/theme to occur outside a rational reality?
Perhaps using the modes of Indian melodrama? To take an example, a
film like Nihalani's Dev carefully follows classic Hollywood realist
guidelines, yet the dialogue between secularism/fundamentalism is
resolved only through the death of both ideologies (and their
signifiers).
Therefore, would Dev be more suitably classified as a realism-based or
melodrama-based film? Look forward to hearing some views.

Best,
Rashmi

On 4/19/05, Yousuf <ysaeed7 at yahoo.com> wrote:
> 
> Besides others, look at the following recent book that
> has some interesting essays, including on realism. 
> 
> Encyclopaedia of Hindi Cinema
> (Published by Encyclopædia Britannica India)
> 
> There is nothing quite like Hindi cinema anywouthere in
> the world. As more and more Mumbai filmmakers
> recognize the need to use the medium with greater
> intelligence and precision, scholars of mass culture
> have begun to perceive Hindi films not merely as
> vehicles of undemanding assembly-line entertainment
> but also as robustly colourful celebrations of the
> cultural and musical mosaic that is India. This
> exhaustive encyclopaedia looks as much at the trends
> and techniques of filmmaking in Mumbai as at the
> personalities who shaped the industry into what it is
> today.
> 
> The Encyclopaedia of Hindi Cinema seeks to capture
> some of the excitement of Hindi films by presenting a
> holistic, informed view of India's popular cinema.
> Starting off with a historical analysis of Hindi films
> in the form of seven essays, the book goes on to
> provide insights into various aspects of the
> industry's internal dynamics. The book brings together
> an array of experts, who either have first-hand
> knowledge of the craft of filmmaking or have observed
> the industry from close quarters for decades. The idea
> is to capture the big picture in a manner that is both
> informative and entertaining, and not proffer a dry,
> clinical study of Hindi films.
> 
> With that end in mind, the encyclopaedia focuses as
> much on the stars and directors as it does on films
> and movements. Indeed, the book is rounded off with a
> comprehensive section that throws light on the work of
> the towering individuals whose contributions to Hindi
> cinema in their respective areas of specialization
> have been second to none. One unique section of the
> encyclopaedia, the Milestones, is devoted entirely to
> interviews with legendary Hindi film personalities.
> The interview with Ashok Kumar was completed a few
> weeks before the demise of the respected actor.
> 
> Highlights
> 
> Produced under the editorial guidance of Gulzar,
> Govind Nihalani and Saibal Chatterjee
> Thirty-four essays written by an array of experts who
> provide insights into various aspects of the
> industry's internal dynamics
> Twenty-one milestones that bring interviews with those
> legendary personalities who have influenced the
> dynamics of the industry
> 
> Two hundred biographies that provide informative
> snapshots of leading film personalities and their
> important films
> 
> Product Details
> 
> ISBN: 81-7991-066-0
> Approx. 600 pages
> Book size: 276 X 216 mm
> Actual Price: 2700/- (INR) inclusive of all taxes.
> 
> For further details e-mail us at shop at ebindia.com or
> call us at +91 - 11 - 51828194-97
> 
> 
> --- Rashmi Sawhney <rashmi.sawhney at gmail.com> wrote:
> > Hi all,
> >
> > I'm looking for material on realism and Indian
> > cinema, esp with
> > reference to women's cinema and the New Wave cinema
> > of the 70s and
> > 80s. Any pointers towards books,websites,journals,
> > articles would be
> > very welcome. Also look forward to hearing opinions
> > and viewpoints of
> > the sarai readers, many of whom seem to have a
> > serious interest in
> > cinema.
> >
> > Best,
> >
> > Rashmi
> >
> > P.S Appologies for having sent this message earlier
> > as a reply to
> > another posting.
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