Deleuze and the Cinemas of Performance

del Rio Elena, 2012

Overview

This book reconsiders the performing body, emphasizing affective force over visual form in theories of spectacle and performativity. Drawing on Gilles Deleuze's philosophy and concepts of affect and expression, it examines 'affective-performative' cinema. The analysis delves into the movements, gestures, and speeds of the body in films by Douglas Sirk, Rainer W. Fassbinder, Sally Potter, Claire Denis, and David Lynch. A central focus is the body's powers of affection, demonstrating the limitations of prior theoretical approaches in capturing the transformative capacities of performance.

Who it's for

• Scholars and students of film theory
• Those interested in Deleuzian philosophy and cinema
• Readers exploring phenomenological or feminist perspectives on film

Key features

• First study on the intersection of Deleuzian theory and film performance.
• Sustained consideration of the links between the performing body and affect.
• Reevaluation of key film theory concepts.
• Analysis of the performative body in relation to feminist politics.
• New readings of classical and contemporary cinema.
• Paperback edition with 248 pages.
• Published by Macmillan in 2012.