Against Film Theory

Over the last forty years, the prestige of theory as a method or form of explanation has grown exponentially within humanistic disciplines that study literature and the arts. Film studies is no exception.

Against Film Theory argues that theory--be it psychoanalytical or cognitivist--is not an appropriate method for understanding, studying, or enjoying film. The book develops a bracing critique of film theory as it is currently conceived, and then proffers an alternative, non-theoretical way of approaching film. Against Film Theory aims to persuade students new to the study of film, as well as scholars willing to entertain questions about the place of theory in film studies that concepts like imagination, identification, pleasure, intention and interpretation should occupy pride-of-place in any proper, humanistic consideration of film.

By proposing neither another theory, nor another theoretical approach, nor another survey of theory, but instead challenging the very idea of theory, Against Film Theory not only marks a radical departure from the existing literature but also makes an intervention in film pedagogy itself. It aims to redirect the film student and scholar away from thinking of film studies as a theoretical discipline, or the study of film as a practice that requires a theory in order to be conducted.