Dear list members,
A student has asked about the American reception of Resnais' _Hiroshima,
mon amour_, and I'm admittedly at a loss to find substantial
information. The frequency with which the film is taught in
universities speaks to a particular academic canonization...but I'm
having difficulty historicizing American public response. How does
American embracing of or resistance to this film--which so overtly
addresses memory--speak to the cultural remembering and forgetting
selected by media, government, public?
In consulting imdb.com, only France, Finland, and Sweden list release
dates for the film--am I to conclude that it was never released to
American theaters? I've also been reading Cathy Caruth's brilliant
essay in _Unclaimed Experience: Trauma, Narrative, and History_: her
notes indicate that HMA was banned from Cannes, so as not to "anger the
Americans." She also discusses the reception of John Hersey's
_Hiroshima_ and the "refusal of military authorities to allow US
citizens to see any of the film footage taken at Hiroshima, outside of
the footage concerning buildings." This being the case, public and
military embracing of the film (let alone viewing of it) doesn't seem
likely. If anyone can offer specific information as to when, how, and
under what circumstances the film was discussed in American media, I
(and my student) would be most appreciative.
I look forward to your helpful responses. Thank you in advance for any
insight you might offer.
respectfully,
kristi mckim
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