European University Institute Library

Cinematic echoes of covenants past and present, national identity in the historical films of Steven Spielberg and Andrzej Wajda, Christopher Garbowski

eng

Includes bibliographical references and index

index present

non fiction

Cinematic echoes of covenants past and present

electronic resource

bibliography

10486597341088465973

Christopher Garbowski

Peter Lang eBooksInterdisciplinary studies in performance, 10

national identity in the historical films of Steven Spielberg and Andrzej Wajda

The author analyzes appropriately selected historical films of Steven Spielberg and Andrzej Wajda with respect to historical memory in relation to film. Cultural and moral foundations of national identity are also taken into account. Spielberg films particularly valuable for this comparative analysis are: «Schindler’s List», «Amistad», «Saving Private Ryan» and «Lincoln»; crucial Wajda films include: «Korczak», «Holy Week», «Katyń and Wałęsa». These works are analyzed in relation to the problem of representing the Holocaust, self-scrutiny in historical memory, commemoration of sacrifices for the national community during war, and foundation myths evoked through national heroes. The larger thematic framework for the above concerns is the underlying sense of covenant present within the two national communities that Spielberg and Wajda draw upon, a sense that explores the possibility of moral renewal under contemporary circumstances.--, Provided by publisher

Sacred and moral sources of national identity and historical memory -- Spielberg and Wajda in their national cinemas -- Korczak and Schindler's List: the Holocaust and the extension of national covenant -- Holy week and Amistad: historical self-scrutiny and moral memory -- The glorious dead and commemoration in Saving Private Ryan and Katyn -- Foundation myths in a post-heroic age: Lincoln and Walesa: Man of Hope