French Cinema: The First Wave, 1915-1929

by Richard Abel

This comprehensive history of the French cinema between World War I and the coming of sound focuses on the narrative film to question most of the received notions about the period, such as the supposed sharp split between avant-garde and commercial filmmakers. Available for the first time in paperback, the book provides a major reassessment of the forces operating in the French film industry in production, distribution, and exhibition and a thorough account of the rise of the alternative cinema network that grew up independently of the industry as a means of supporting avant-garde films.

In addition, the author presents a study of a previously unexplored topic—the development of the major narrative film genres—and a new working definition of the narrative avant-garde in the context of conventional film practice. This remarkable book analyzes nearly one hundred surviving prints (many previously unavailable to researchers).

Genres: Film

696 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 1984

About the author

Richard Owen Abel (born 1941) is Professor Emeritus of International Cinema and Media Studies at the University of Michigan.