Peter Szendy's 'L'Apocalypse cinéma' Examines Disaster Films
Philosopher and musicologist Peter Szendy, known for works like 'Sur écoute' (2007) and 'Tubes' (2008), has published his first book entirely devoted to cinema: 'L'Apocalypse cinéma, 2012 et autres fins du monde' (Capricci, 2012). The book comprises twelve chapters each focused on a disaster film, with a central 'pause pour inventaire'. Szendy analyzes blockbusters such as 'Watchmen', 'Terminator', '2012', 'A.I. Artificial Intelligence', and 'Melancholia', as well as Fritz Lang's 1929 invention of countdown devices. He examines the use of dates in film titles and the trembling camera effect that hesitates between life and death. The work situates disaster movies within a history of collective representations in the United States and globally, renewing critical engagement with the genre.
Key facts
- Peter Szendy's first book entirely on cinema, 'L'Apocalypse cinéma', was published by Capricci in 2012.
- The book is subtitled '2012 et autres fins du monde'.
- It contains twelve chapters, each analyzing a disaster film, with a central 'pause pour inventaire'.
- Szendy focuses on American blockbusters, including 'Watchmen', 'Terminator', '2012', 'A.I. Artificial Intelligence', and 'Melancholia'.
- He examines the use of dates in film titles and countdown devices invented by Fritz Lang in 1929.
- The book analyzes the trembling camera effect in films like 'A.I.' and 'Melancholia'.
- Szendy is a philosopher and musicologist who previously wrote 'Sur écoute' (2007) and 'Tubes' (2008).
- The work situates disaster movies within a history of collective representations in the US and globally.
Entities
Artists
- Peter Szendy
- Fritz Lang
- Steven Spielberg
- Lars von Trier
- Francis Ford Coppola
- Alain Resnais
- Melville
- Kant
Institutions
- Capricci
Sources
- artpress —