Cahiers du Cinéma

Paris: Cahiers du Cinéma, 1971-2006. Collection of 393 issues (Nos. 226 through 619) of the French film journal "Cahiers du Cinéma," representing the years 1971-2006. Text and titles in French.

"Cahiers du Cinéma" was founded in 1951 by André Bazin, Jacques Doniol-Valcroze, and Joseph-Marie Lo Duca, with writers including Jacques Rivette, Jean-Luc Godard, Claude Chabrol, and François Truffaut. In the mid-1950s dissent started to develop between the journal's editors and its writers, the latter group led by Truffaut, who published an inflammatory article in January of 1954, denouncing the lack of creativity in French filmmaking and advocating for the "policy of the authors"—the origins of auteur theory. Founders Bazin and Lo Duca subsequently yielded editorial control of the journal to Doniol-Valcroze and Éric Rohmer, resulting in a significantly changed format, with a focus on directors deemed "auteurs."

Rohmer would assume position as the journal's head editor in 1958, but by 1963 would be forced out by Godard, Chabrol, Rivette, and others, largely due to Rohmer's refusal to shift the journal's focus from Hollywood to the films of the French New Wave (i.e., their own films). Now led by Rivette, "Cahiers" tied its flag more openly to the political left, and increasingly ignored Hollywood films in favor of avant-garde and experimental filmmakers.

By the mid-1970s, a review of "Jaws" (1975) marked the journal's return to more mainstream film criticism. In 1998 the journal would be acquired by press group Le Monde, and was heavily redesigned the following year, with significantly broadened focus on all visual arts. The journal remains in operation today under private ownership, and continues to gain renown for its annual "top ten" film lists.

Generally Near Fine or better. Housed in 33 custom maroon cloth clamshell boxes.

Shipping billed at cost due to quantity and weight.

[Book #170333]