Michelle--
Although i can't cite them all right now, the various critical responses to
``Full Metal Jacket'' comprise a fascinating collection of critical and
theoretical responses to the war film, as you're searching for them. I can
think of no single war film, not even ``Apocalypse Now,'' (or now,
``Redux'') which elicits such a variety of responses and useful applications
of theory. I think it's through this response to the single film, in the
context of the greater subject of The War Film, that you can find helpful
and enlightening ideas. I'm finding this is the case with what I think is
the richest film ever made, Antonioni's ``L'Avventura.'' Using
``L'Avventura'' as a doorway, you enter into a vast consideration of the
uses of cinema, cinema before and inside Modernism, what the limits of
narrative are, what the camera can tell and reveal. More than a body of
films, one film--the right film--can do this. ``Full Metal Jacket'' is such
a film for considering the greater War Film subject.
Regards,
Robert Koehler
----- Original Message -----
From: "Michelle Langford" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Thursday, August 23, 2001 3:45 AM
Subject: Reading suggestions: War Films
> Thankyou everybody for all those War film suggestions, although only a
> few have so far responded to the appeal made in my original email for
> readings on war films and theoretical approaches to war and cinema. I
> know this is a huge area because war films have been made by just about
> every nation at every period during the history of cinema, but it seems
> that little really sustained theoretical work has been done in this
> area. I already have a number of references gleaned from databses such
> as Philosopher's Index and MLA, but was hoping list members could direct
> me to other more obscure or regional sources.
>
> Thanks
> Michelle
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