2. General Definitions
• A misleading term
• Considered a ‘genre’ in retail outlets that sell Dvds
• Film theorists feel this is misleading:
“However common it has become, the term ‘world cinema’
still lacks a proper, positive definition”
In the past, definitions have fallen into 3 areas:
8. Any film from a country that isn’t British (or of the
audience’s national cinema)
9. Non-Hollywood films
10. Films that focus on social, cultural and political issues
3. Developments in a definition
• Professor Nagib argues that:
– ‘world cinema’ should be used as an approach to film study rather than
be a clear cut definition or genre
– “World cinema is simply the cinema of the world.
– “ a way of cutting across film history according to waves of
relevant films and movement, creating flexible geographies.”
• The positive study of film in its historical and cultural context
• Doesn’t think about films solely in relation to their ‘difference’ to
Hollywood stereotypes.
