Film theory seeks to develop concise, systematic concepts that apply to film and video. Classical film theory provides a structural framework to address issues of techniques, narrativity, diegesis, cinematic codes, "the image", genre, subjectivity, and authorship. More recent analysis has given rise to psychoanalytic film theory, structuralist film theory, feminist film theory, and theories of documentary, new media, third cinema, and new queer cinema, to name just a few.
Film criticism is, on some level, encapsulated within this rubric, and includes questions about how and why film works, and what effects it has on viewing subjects. These techniques can be applied to individual films, but it is usually aligned with theoretical concepts of the medium.
Notice how this is distinct from film review (or film commentary), which is usually written for a general audience and is generally not theoretical.
This category is only for sites that deal with some aspect of
film theory or
film criticism.
Sites offering reviews or commentary on films should be submitted to Arts/Movies/Reviews.
Theory and criticism related to a specific genre of film.
Sites offering feminist film theory and criticism resources.
Online and offline publications on film theory and film criticism.
This category is for publications on film theory and film criticism only. Discussion sites should not be submitted here.
Periodicals containing film reviews and dealing with the film industry in general should be submitted to Arts/Movies/News_and_Media/Magazines_and_E-zines.
Sites offering psychoanalytical film theory and criticism resources.