| A 'Toxic Genre': The Iraq War Films Contributor(s): Barker, Martin (Author) |
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ISBN: 0745331297 ISBN-13: 9780745331294 Publisher: Pluto Press (UK) OUR PRICE: $36.00 Product Type: Paperback - Other Formats Published: August 2011 |
| Additional Information |
| BISAC Categories: - Performing Arts | Film - History & Criticism - History | Military - Iraq War (2003-2011) |
| Dewey: 791.436 |
| LCCN: 2011456768 |
| Physical Information: 0.5" H x 5.2" W x 8.4" (0.55 lbs) 216 pages |
| Themes: - Chronological Period - 21st Century - Cultural Region - Middle East |
| Descriptions, Reviews, Etc. |
| Publisher Description: Over the last five years, a cycle of films has emerged addressing the ongoing Iraq conflict. Some became well-known and one of them, The Hurt Locker, won a string of Oscars. But many others disappeared into obscurity. What is it about these films that led Variety to dub them a 'toxic genre'? Martin Barker analyses the production and reception of these recent Iraq war films. Among the issues he examines are the borrowing of soldiers' YouTube styles of self-representation to generate an 'authentic' Iraq experience, and how they take refuge in 'apolitical' post-traumatic stress disorder. Barker also looks afresh at some classic issues in film theory: the problems of accounting for film 'failures', the shaping role of production systems, the significance of genre-naming and the impact of that 'toxic' label. A 'Toxic Genre' is fascinating reading for film studies students and anyone interested in cinema's portrayal of modern warfare. |