Space, Place and Time in Migration Film

The topic of migration is very central in today's globalized world, especially in the USA - a typical destination for migrants. This book aims to analyse the representation of space, place and time and their effect on the viewer. It reveals features of space and place in migration film, defines the differences between them as well as social aspects, meaning which experiences the viewer undergoes in connection to space and place. Time is discussed here through the perspective of the main characters in the movies Dancer in the Dark (2000) and Moscow on the Hudson (1984). Both films depict the migration from Eastern Europe to the United States of America. Apart from highlighting the theoretical meaning of space, place and time, the filming techniques are analysed to distinguish which shots and camera work are applied to provoke certain viewer experiences. Methods of image and film analysis are used in order to spot the way representation of space, place and time in migration film influences the viewer and which cultural codes can be derived from symbols in migration film.

Autorentext

Olga Vikhrova, Master of Arts: Joint Degree in English and American Studies. University of Graz, Austria. Education in progress, Master of Arts: Communication, Media, Interaction and Sound Design at the University of Applied Sciences, Graz.

Klappentext

The topic of migration is very central in today's globalized world, especially in the USA - a typical destination for migrants. This book aims to analyse the representation of space, place and time and their effect on the viewer. It reveals features of space and place in migration film, defines the differences between them as well as social aspects, meaning which experiences the viewer undergoes in connection to space and place. Time is discussed here through the perspective of the main characters in the movies Dancer in the Dark (2000) and Moscow on the Hudson (1984). Both films depict the migration from Eastern Europe to the United States of America. Apart from highlighting the theoretical meaning of space, place and time, the filming techniques are analysed to distinguish which shots and camera work are applied to provoke certain viewer experiences. Methods of image and film analysis are used in order to spot the way representation of space, place and time in migration film influences the viewer and which cultural codes can be derived from symbols in migration film.