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In the Shadow of War Read chapter Read first chapter

2016 | OriginalPaper | Chapter

2. Towards Utopia

Author : Paul Cuff

Published in: Abel Gance and the End of Silent Cinema

Publisher: Springer International Publishing

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Abstract

This chapter explores the ideological background to La Fin du Monde, in particular Gance’s view of cinema as a utopian art form that could overcome entrenched cultural divisions. Cuff follows the thematic link from Gance’s religious projects of the 1910s to Les grands initiés in the 1920s. The chapter relates how this series was to portray the life of religious prophets and culminate in La Fin du Monde. Cuff interrogates how Gance’s work continued to reflect his interest in apocalyptic destruction and utopian rebirth. Tracing the literary and mystical background to the filmmaker’s approach, Cuff examines the relationship between historical and fantastical narratives in Gance’s work and how the apocalyptic theme of La Fin du Monde embodies these ideas.

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Metadata
Title
Towards Utopia
Author
Paul Cuff
Copyright Year
2016
Book
Abel Gance and the End of Silent Cinema

Print ISBN: 978-3-319-38817-5

Electronic ISBN: 978-3-319-38818-2

Copyright Year: 2016

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-38818-2_2