The Cinema of Víctor Erice

An Open Window

By (author) Linda C. Ehrlich

Paperback - £61.00

Publication date:

01 February 2007

Length of book:

400 pages

Publisher

Scarecrow Press

ISBN-13: 9780810858848

To coincide with the recent DVD release of The Spirit of the Beehive, this paperback collection of essays focuses on the work of acclaimed Spanish director, Víctor Erice. Originally published in hardcover under the title An Open Window, this expanded edition draws on original essays, reprints, and new translations from an international group of writers.

New to this edition are four essays from noted film scholars—including editor Linda C. Ehrlich—as well as three added essays from the filmmaker himself. Both the original and new material provide a deeper appreciation of Erice's three feature-length films—The Spirit of the Beehive [El espíritu de la colmena] (1973), El Sur (1982), and Dream of Light [aka The Quince Tree Sun, El sol del membrillo] (1992), as well as his shorter works, including his most recent accomplishment, La morte rouge (2006).

This anthology examines the aesthetic, historical, and sociological forces at work in Erice's films and includes an extensive interview with the director. This broad array of writings provides insight into not only three unforgettable films, but also into twentieth-century Spanish society, as well as world cinema. The Cinema of Víctor Erice: An Open Window will serve as an important resource to measure the career of this director who—along with Buñuel, Saura, and Almodóvar—has helped show the world the creative range of Spanish cinema. With additional essays, translations, and illustrations, this paperback edition explores new avenues of expression pursued by one of the most poetic of modern filmmakers.
This paperback update of the 2000 anthology titled An Open Window: The Cinema of Victor Erice, the first to appear in English on the award-winning Spanish film director, coincides with the DVD release of The Spirit of the Beehive ( El espiritu de la colmena , 1973), his first feature film. Ehrlich (Case Western Reserve U.) introduces critical essays, an Erice interview and commentaries, and reviews of his works since 2000. Known for quality rather than quantity, his poetic films focus on survivors: e.g., of Franco's regime, time. The book features movie stills, a filmography, and reference list including essays by Erice and critical writings in several languages.