About the book
Biopics—films that chronicle the lives of famous and notorious figures from our national history—have long been one of Hollywood's most popular and important genres, offering viewers various understandings of American national identity. Invented Lives, Imagined Communities provides the first full-length examination of US biopics, focusing on key releases in American cinema while treating recent developments in three fields: cinema studies, particularly the history of Hollywood; national identity studies dealing with the American experience; and scholarship devoted to modernity and postmodernity. Films discussed include Houdini, Patton, The Great White Hope, Bound for Glory, Ed Wood, Basquiat, Pollock, Sylvia, Kinsey, Fur, Milk, J. Edgar, and Lincoln, and the book pays special attention to the crucial generic plot along which biopics traverse and showcase American lives, even as they modify the various notions of the national character.
Editions of Invented Lives, Imagined Communities
- Hardcover
- ISBN 9781438460796
- Paperback
- ISBN 9781438460802
- PDF
- ISBN 9781438460819
Read an Excerpt
Biopics—films that chronicle the lives of famous and notorious figures from our national history—have long been one of Hollywood's most popular and important genres, offering viewers various understandings of American national identity. Invented Lives, Imagined Communities provides the first full-length examination of US biopics, focusing on key releases in American cinema while treating recent developments in three fields: cinema studies, particularly the history of Hollywood; national identity studies dealing with the American experience; and scholarship devoted to modernity and postmodernity. Films discussed include Houdini, Patton, The Great White Hope, Bound for Glory, Ed Wood, Basquiat, Pollock, Sylvia, Kinsey, Fur, Milk, J. Edgar, and Lincoln, and the book pays special attention to the crucial generic plot along which biopics traverse and showcase American lives, even as they modify the various notions of the national character.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Invented Lives, Imagined Communities about?
Biopics—films that chronicle the lives of famous and notorious figures from our national history—have long been one of Hollywood's most popular and important genres, offering viewers various understandings of American national identity. Invented Lives, Imagined Communities provides the first full-length examination of US biopics, focusing on key releases in American cinema while treating recent developments in three fields: cinema studies, particularly the history of Hollywood; national identity studies dealing with the American experience; and scholarship devoted to modernity and postmodernity. Films discussed include Houdini, Patton, The Great White Hope, Bound for Glory, Ed Wood, Basquiat, Pollock, Sylvia, Kinsey, Fur, Milk, J. Edgar, and Lincoln, and the book pays special attention to the crucial generic plot along which biopics traverse and showcase American lives, even as they modify the various notions of the national character.
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Invented Lives, Imagined Communities?
The Arts > Performing arts > Films, cinema > Film history, theory or criticism
Where can I read a sample of Invented Lives, Imagined Communities?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9781438460796
How long is Invented Lives, Imagined Communities and how many pages does it have?
Invented Lives, Imagined Communities has 352 page(s)
Is Invented Lives, Imagined Communities part of a series, and can it be read as a standalone?
Yes it is a part of series SUNY series, Horizons of Cinema
Who is/are the Author/s of the book Invented Lives, Imagined Communities?
R. Barton Palmer, William H. Epstein
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
Invented Lives, Imagined Communities is available as hardcover(ISBN 9781438460796) and paperback(ISBN 9781438460802) and pdf(ISBN 9781438460819)
Where can I buy Invented Lives, Imagined Communities online or support local independent bookshops?
You can buy Invented Lives, Imagined Communities from below
Where can I buy Invented Lives, Imagined Communities?