things on film. what's worth reading? what are the musts?

for my film class, I've found a couple of andre bazin essays moderately stimulating, and really enjoyed both eisenstein's manifesto, and laura mulvey's 'visual pleasure and the narrative cinema.'

I've heard those new wave guys have some important writings, and especially would like to read truffaut's 'hitchcock'

That's always a good place to start.

Bazin and Eisenstein are key. From there, move onto Andrew Sarris, Robin Wood, Peter Wollen. Maybe Gilles Deleuze if you like being confused. Roland Barthes too.

In fact, just get Film Theory and Criticism (whatever the latest edition is). It's got all the essentials.

that's what I have. useless trixster, useless!

Then what do you need me for? Just read that cover to cover.

Also, Truffaut's essay on the auteur is pretty grand, and not in the book (I think). Seek it out!

right. the book includes Sarris' "maybe you people will listen to this if it comes from an American rather than some radical french man" summary instead.

I'm writing this allll down.

oh make sure to do that. because the internet certainly won't be here tomorrow.

My favorite book on film is The Material Ghost.

Theory of the Film: Character and Growth of a New Art
by Bela Balazs