Theorist-filmmaker Paul Schrader's influential claim that the film noir phenomenon is unique to Hollywood and reflects a specific period in US history-mid-1940s to late 1950s-provides the point of departure for this volume. Via close readings, George and Meneses (both, Lake Forest College) seek to prove that selected Argentine features are best considered full-fledged noirs or neo-noirs. Their aim, as they write in the conclusion, is to demonstrate the cultural cross-fertilization in noir through intertextual perspectives, stylistic schema, and narrative and cinematic tropes. The authors generally succeed. Examining features covering a chronological ranging from 1946 (The Naked Angel) to 2013 (The German Doctor), George and Meneses offer detailed, perceptive readings of individual shots and sequences; they are particularly astute in their analyses of specific elements of craft, such as cinematography and production design. They also provide all-important sociohistorical contextualization to help readers better understand the themes of the films. The research is wide ranging and up-to-date, and influences and sources are indicated. The volume is clearly structured. . . This study is an important addition to understanding the international dimensions of film noir.
Summing Up: Recommended. Upper-division undergraduates through faculty. * CHOICE *
This book provides a useful introduction to noir and neo-noir filmmaking in the Argentine context. It will be extremely valuable for college students seeking a concise and well-focused survey of the field. A real strength is its incisive analyses of individual shots and sequences, brought together with a strong sense of the enduring relevance and adaptability of noir themes and aesthetics. The clarity and coherence of this study would also make it very suitable for a general reader interested in noir film or Argentine cinema. -- Joanna Page, University of Cambridge
Argentine Cinema: From Noir to Neo-noir is the first serious exploration of Argentine film noir as it fits within the broader framework of international noir studies. An easily readable yet thorough analysis of key neo and retro noir films richly illustrated by classic examples, Argentine Cinema:From Noir to Neo-noir is a valuable resource for scholars, students, and fans of film noir and Argentine culture. -- Victoria Ruetalo, University of Alberta
