Introduction

Abstract

This book presents nine national cinemas (China, Finland, France, India, Iran, Italy, Mexico, Ukraine, and the United States of America). These countries were chosen as a representative mixture of world cinemas and are examined alphabetically with an eye to four criteria: (1) cultural heritage, (2) centralization, (3) common language, and (4) convention— points that should provide an astute observer with the tools to determine the basic characteristics of any national cinema on the planet. This approach derives from the ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle (384–322 BC) who wrote about mimesis (imitation), how art can imitate reality and represent nature. When elements that define a nation’s historical and cultural identity appear in popular films, it is possible to see such imitation in action. Despite its reputation as a new art form, cinema can be atavistic, an expression of past traits in the present. Studying specific national cinemas withattention to how stories and motifs repeat reveals the deep cultural and sociological essence of a nation so movies truly can explain the world one country at a time.¹