Decentring France: Multilingualism and Power in Contemporary French Cinema (Hardcover) (ISBN-13: 9781526113573)

In a world defined by the flow of people, goods and cultures, many contemporary French films explore the multicultural nature of today's France through language. From rival lingua francas such as English to socio-politically marginalised languages such as Arabic or Kurdish, multilingual characters in these films exploit their knowledge of multiple languages, and offer counter-perspectives to dominant ideologies of the role of linguistic diversity in society. Decentring France is the first substantial study of multilingual film in France. Unpacking the power dynamics at play in the dialogue of eight emblematic films, this book argues that many contemporary French films take a new approach to language and power, showing how even the most historically-maligned languages can empower their speakers. This book offers a unique insight to academics and students alike, into the place of language and power in French cinema today.

Author: Gemma King
ISBN-10: 1526113570
ISBN-13: 9781526113573
Publisher: Manchester University Press
Language: English
Published: 08/17/2017
Pages: 232
Format: Hardcover
Weight: 0.90lbs
Size: 8.50h x 5.50w x 0.56d

Review Citation(s):
Choice 10/01/2018