The Mind Screen

For well over a century, films have exerted enormous influence. Viewers tend to identify unconsciously with the actors/actresses. The desire to become another, substituting identity by identification, can be traced to the illusion that the filmic heroes/heroines are immortal identifying with them raises the possibility of gaining «deathlessness.»

For well over a century cinema has exerted enormous influence, yet many questions regarding its fascination remain unanswered. Films work so well because the viewers tend to unconsciously identify with the actors/actresses. The desire to become another, substituting identity by identification, can be traced to the illusion that the filmic heroes/heroines are immortal identifying with them raises the possibility of gaining «deathlessness.» Viewers can, without real life risks, experiment with the existential drafts presented; the power of imagination is mobilized. Based on a multidisciplinary approach (semiotics, psychoanalysis, cultural anthropology, plus a healthy dose of film history), this book presents prolegomena of a philosophy of cinema.

Autorentext

Georg Schmid has taught modern and contemporary history, mainly at the University of Salzburg.

Inhalt
Contents: Fascination of cinema Identification with actors/actresses Participating in their immortality Experimenting with the existential patterns offered Film analysis Film history Semiotics Psychoanalysis Cultural anthropology.