I may be a bit belated in chiming in on the subject of David Weddle's recent
L.A. Times Magazine article on the predominance of theory in film studies,
but some of the issues raised in that article continue to resonate in my
mind. I have always been partial to a more personal style of filmmaking
(dare I admit that I still find value in the idea of the auteur "theory"?
will I be stoned by zealots if I do so?) than that which has (disturbingly)
become the norm in the film studies / filmmaking community; namely, that
filmmakers should look to communalism and "New Left" political and
psychoanalytic theory in their attempts to register engaging representations
of human experience. While I am on "the left," politically speaking (and
therefore believe that Human beings are social creatures, and that the Human
struggle is best fought on a communal level), I feel that art, and film in
particular, is most effective when treated as a more or less individualistic
enterprise. After all, communities are comprised of individuals, and the
very idea of communal politics is designed to distribute power amongst the
individuals who take part in any given community (or group of individuals).
I feel that filmmakers who approach filmmaking from a theoretical point of
view are attempting to do the work of critics, and I find such work to be
unendingly boring, mechanical, and dehumanizing.
I am highly interested in seeing what might come of an intelligent and
non-reactionary debate based on these issues. I look to the readers of this
list to participate in this debate because I have found that most of you are
thoughtful and attentive to such issues.
My particular position is outlined in more detail in my "manifesto" at
http://www.oakstreetfilms.com/manifesto/manifesto.htm. Of course I realize
that to many, "manifestos" are often a narcissistic and, perhaps,
solipsistic form of expression. Indeed, the very word "manifesto" has a
silly and reactionary connotation. Nevertheless, I felt the need to express
my opinions in a public setting.
I am very interested in seeing were this debate might lead.
jarrod whaley.
http://www.oakstreetfilms.com
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