Films about Filmmaking: Illusion and Anti-Illusion in Meta-Film

by Marion Matuella

Film creates illusionary reality and manipulates its viewers through both technical and narrative techniques. However, what happens if the illusion of a film is destroyed by anti-illusion? FILMS ABOUT FILMMAKING deal with the confrontation of illusion and anti-illusion, of mystification and demystification. In her book Marion Matuella discusses the differences between conventional films and meta-films and their different effects on the viewers. She works out ways of creating both illusion (through classical narrative, mise-en-scène, cinematography and editing) and anti-illusion (through self-reflexive versions of the mechanisms mentioned above), and illustrates this process with a detailed case study of the Tom DiCillo film LIVING IN OBLIVION. This book is designed for students of film studies and moviegoers who would like to gain a critical awareness of different methods of filmmaking and their manipulative effects.

96 pages, Paperback

Published April 30, 2008