Film, Lacan and the Subject of Religion A Psychoanalytic Approach to Religious Film Analysis

by Nolan, Steve

• ISBN13: 9781441133151
• ISBN10: 1441133151
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2011-12-22
• Publisher: Bloomsbury Academic

Summary

In their study of religion and film, religious film analysts have tended to privilege religion. Uniquely, this study treats the two disciplines as genuine equals, by regarding both liturgy and film as representational media. Steve Nolan argues that, in each case, subjects identify with a represented 'other' which joins them into a narrative where they become participants in an ideological 'reality'. Finding many current approaches to religious film analysis lacking,Film, Lacan and the Subject of Religionexplores the film theory other writers ignore, particularly that mix of psychoanalysis, Marxism and semiotics - often termedScreentheory - that attempts to understand how cinematic representation shapes spectator identity. Using translations and commentary on Lacan not originally available toScreentheorists, Nolan returns to Lacan's contribution to psychoanalytic film theory and offers a sustained application to religious practice, examining several 'priest films' and real-life case study to expose the way liturgical representation shapes religious identity.Film, Lacan and the Subject of Religionproposes an interpretive strategy by which religious film analysts can develop the kind of analysis that engages with and critiques both cultural and religious practice.

Table of Contents

IntroductionAn OverviewPart 1 Current approaches to religious film analysis1 Phenomenological interpretations: film as sacrament2 Literary interpretations: film as visual story3 Anthropological interpretations: film as religionPart 2 Representation in liturgy and film4 Liturgical representation: ‘others', narratives and ideological ‘realities'5 Cinematic representation: ‘others', narratives and ideological ‘realities'Part 3 What can film theory offer liturgy?6 Cinematic identification: suture and narrative space7 Suturing suture: joining the theory together8 Suturing religious identity in the sacramental narrativeBy way of analysis