Screen/Play

In Screen/Play, Brunette and Wills apply Derrida's theories to film analysis, reshaping the understanding of cinema within media studies.

In Screen/Play, authors Peter Brunette and David Wills explore the intersection of Jacques Derrida's philosophical ideas and film theory. Although Derrida has not directly addressed film in his writings, Brunette and Wills argue that his critique of the logocentric foundations of Western thought, particularly his concept of 'Writing,' can be effectively applied to film analysis. This application could potentially elevate film from its traditional status within the visual arts to a more significant position in the media and information sciences.

The book serves as an accessible introduction to Derrida for readers unfamiliar with his work. Brunette and Wills begin by discussing the political reasons behind the neglect of Derrida's contributions in film theory. They then provide a Derridean critique of the prevailing assumptions in contemporary film studies. By drawing on texts such as The Truth in Painting and Droit de regards, they relate Derrida's ideas to cinema, presenting analyses of films like Truffaut's The Bride Wore Black and Lynch's Blue Velvet to illustrate a radical, 'anagrammatical' reading practice.

Finally, the authors delve into Derrida's lesser-known work, The Post Card, situating cinema within a redefined understanding of technology. Originally published in 1989, Screen/Play has been reissued by the Princeton Legacy Library, which aims to enhance access to significant scholarly works from Princeton University Press's extensive catalog.