Auteur Theory Flashcards
What is auteur theory?
It is the idea that the director is the primary creative author (auteur) of a film, expressing personal vision, style, and recurring themes.
Where and when did auteur theory originate?
In France in the 1950s, mainly through the film magazine Cahiers du Cinéma.
What is the French term for auteur theory?
La politique des auteurs
Who were key figures in the original auteur theory movement?
François Truffaut and André Bazin
What was the main claim of the original auteur theory?
That great directors impose their personal style and worldview even within the constraints of the studio system.
Which director is a classic example of the original auteur theory?
Alfred Hitchcock — due to his consistent themes (suspense, voyeurism) and visual style.
Which essay introduced the auteur idea to the public?
Truffaut’s “A Certain Tendency of the French Cinema” (1954)
Who popularised auteur theory in America?
Andrew Sarris
What are Sarris’s three criteria for identifying an auteur?
- Technical competence
- Personal style
- Interior meaning (deeper themes)
How did American auteurism differ from the French version?
It evaluated directors based on their body of work and formalised the theory into critical criteria.
Name a director often cited by Sarris as an auteur.
Howard Hawks or Stanley Kubrick
What did postmodern auteurism challenge?
The idea of a single creative voice — it emphasized collaboration, intertextuality, and ideology.
Who were key thinkers behind postmodern critiques of auteur theory?
Peter Wollen, Laura Mulvey, and Roland Barthes
What is Barthes’ famous essay that critiques the auteur model?
“Death of the Author” (1967)
Which director is a postmodern auteur known for intertextuality and pastiche?
Quentin Tarantino
How is auteur theory used in contemporary film culture?
As a marketing tool — directors are seen as brand identities.
Name modern directors considered contemporary auteurs.
Greta Gerwig, Jordan Peele, Christopher Nolan
What criticism is often made of modern auteur theory?
It can ignore the collaborative nature of filmmaking and promote individualism.
What academic work discusses modern auteurism?
Timothy Corrigan’s A Cinema Without Walls
