Generic Histories of German Cinema

This book offers a new lens for examining German cinema through key genres, including horror and thrillers, enriching the understanding of film history.

In Generic Histories of German Cinema, the authors present an innovative perspective on German film studies by exploring significant genres throughout the history of German cinema. This work delves into various genres such as horror, thrillers, Heimat films, and war films, highlighting how these categories have developed and influenced one another over time. The book emphasizes the importance of genre in understanding the cultural and societal contexts of films, which have often been overlooked in traditional German film scholarship.

The authors argue that, despite the growing body of international genre studies, German film studies has largely neglected the role of genre in shaping cinematic narratives. In recent years, there has been a surge of interest in popular cinema from Germany, yet few works have engaged deeply with genre theory. Generic Histories of German Cinema fills this gap by examining not only well-known genres but also detective films, comedies, and romances that adapt global genres to a German context, showcasing a form of transnationalism that has often been ignored.

By foregrounding genre theory, this volume encourages a reevaluation of the traditional dichotomy between art and popular cinema in German film studies. The contributors, including notable scholars, provide a comprehensive analysis that rethinks film history and cultural history, making Generic Histories of German Cinema a vital resource for students and scholars alike.