Not Hollywood: Independent Film at the Twilight of the American Dream (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9780822354260)

The pioneering anthropologist Sherry B. Ortner combines her trademark ethnographic expertise with critical film interpretation to explore the independent film scene in New York and Los Angeles since the late 1980s. Not Hollywood is both a study of the lived experience of that scene and a critical examination of America as seen through the lenses of independent filmmakers. Based on interviews with scores of directors and producers, Ortner reveals the culture and practices of indie filmmaking, including the conviction of those involved that their films, unlike Hollywood movies, are "telling the truth" about American life. These films often illuminate the dark side of American society through narratives about the family, the economy, and politics in today's neoliberal era. Offering insightful interpretations of many of these films, Ortner argues that during the past three decades independent American cinema has functioned as a vital form of cultural critique.

Author: Sherry B. Ortner
ISBN-10: 0822354268
ISBN-13: 9780822354260
Publisher: Duke University Press
Language: English
Published: 02/27/2013
Pages: 352
Format: Paperback
Weight: 1.05lbs
Size: 9.10h x 6.10w x 0.90d

Review Citation(s):
Kirkus Reviews 12/15/2012
Foreword 02/26/2013
Choice 08/01/2013
Library Journal 03/01/2013