Auteur Theory

Question 1

What is the primary focus when identifying an auteur?

Answer 1

Reoccurring elements in style, themes, and messages

This includes examining the aesthetic, film form, ideas, and values presented in the films.

Question 2

What phrase did Alexandre Astruc use in his 1948 writing about cinema and artists?

Answer 2

Camera-stylo

Astruc referred to cinema as a means of expression akin to other arts.

Question 3

What publication was instrumental in developing the philosophy of auteur theory?

Answer 3

Cahiers du Cinema

This publication featured a group of writers creating a manifesto for cinema.

Question 4

What was the title of Francois Truffaut’s 1954 essay that contributed to the auteur theory?

Answer 4

‘A Certain Tendency in French Cinema’

This essay introduced the phrase ‘la politique des auteurs’.

Question 5

Who popularised the Auteur Theory in the US?

Answer 5

Andrew Sarris

He championed the theory and identified key characteristics of an auteur.

Question 6

List the three things Sarris suggested help identify an auteur.

Answer 6

• Technical competence
• Distinguishable personality (style)
• Interior meaning (themes, ideas, messages)

These criteria help in recognizing the personal authorship in filmmaking.

Question 7

What is one of the criticisms of the Auteur Theory?

Answer 7

Filmmaking is a collaborative process

This raises questions about the role of other artists like actors, writers, and cinematographers.

Question 8

What is one argument posed against the notion of technical competence in directors?

Answer 8

Technical competence isn’t necessarily a factor of a great director

This was a viewpoint expressed by critic Pauline Kael.

Question 9

What article did Pauline Kael write that criticized the auteur theory?

Answer 9

‘Circles and Squares’

In this article, she directly attacked the principles of the auteur theory.

Question 10

True or False: Pauline Kael believed that distinguishable personality in films was always a positive attribute.

Answer 10

False

Kael argued that recognizable features could indicate that a director repeats themselves.

Question 11

Fill in the blank: The phrase ‘la politique des auteurs’ was coined by ______.

Answer 11

Francois Truffaut

This phrase is central to the discussion of auteur theory.

Question 12

What is one way the auteur theory may be considered elitist?

Answer 12

It prioritizes individual vision over collective contribution

Critics argue this perspective undervalues the collaborative nature of filmmaking.
Suggests that you have to be familiar with Director’s ouvre to appreciate their work

Question 13

What were some directors that French critics re-evaluated as personal artists?

Answer 13

• Hitchcock
• Welles
• Ford

These directors were seen as authors of their own work after WWII.