Product Description

Author wrote bestselling bfi Publishing title David Lynch "a joy to the reader of film criticism" Choice; 2001: A Space Odyssey to be re-released in cinemas in The Spring and highly likely to be the focus of much media attention in the new year; Stanley Kubrick's 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968), based on Arthur C Clarke's novel, is one of the most ambitious films ever made, an epic of space exploration that takes in the whole history of humanity (as well as speculation about its future). A technical triumph that stands up today 2001 is topical also because of its meditation on the relationship between man, animal and machine. Haunting and enigmatic, it's a film that contains myriad images that seem to defy any explanation. In this multilayered study, acclaimed critic and theorist of film sound Michel Chion offers some keys to understanding 2001. Setting the film first in its historical and cultural contexts (the Space Race, the Cold War, 1960s psychedelia), Chion goes on to locate it within Kubrick's career. He then conducts a meticulous and subtle analysis of its structure and style, arguing that 2001 is an 'absolute film', a unique assemblage of cinema's elements, through which pulses a vision of human existence. 'Animals who know they will die, beings lost on earth, forever caught between two species, not animal enough, not cerebral enough.' In a supplementary chapter Chion argues that Kubrick's last film, Eyes Wide Shut (1999), is a return to 2001, a final statement of its concerns. And in a series of appendices Chion provides production details, an analytic synopsis, credits and a consideration of the legacy of 2001.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #3306713 in Books
• Published on: 2001-06-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Library Binding
• 196 pages

About the Author
Michel Chion is a film-maker, lecturer and Cahiers du Cinema critic. He is the author of David Lynch (bfi, 1995) and a series of books on sound, including The Voice in Cinema.

Customer Reviews

A stimulating and enlightening book about an oblique film.
More than thirty years after it's original release "2001: A Space Odysssey" remains as mystical and mystifying now as it did then. Few who have seen it have not enjoyed it on some level, but far far fewer would claim to understand it. Perhaps the beauty of this film is that is was not meant to be understood in the literal manner that we have become accustomed to, but,as this book suggests, should be approached as a meditation on themes and an exploration of what cinema is. The books' subject matter alone might lead some to believe it will be equally dense and difficult to understand, but in fact it is clearly written in a style that is intelligent, provocative and clear without being overly academical. It places the film within a historical and artistic context, examining the global events of the time as well as placing the film within Kubrick's body of work. It then goes on to examine in great detail the film from a much more unusual perspective....which I'll leave for those of you that are sufficiently interested to find out for yourselves. I won't claim that this book will tell you what "2001..." is about, but it makes some very interesting suggestions as to what Kubrick was trying to do with this film, and for that alone it is thoroughly well worth reading!! Highly recommended.