Far-flung families in film : the diasporic family in contemporary European cinema

In the age of globalisation, diasporic and other types of transnational family are increasingly represented across the film spectrum in works such as Bend It Like Beckham, The Namesake, Boys 'n the Hood, Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (The Brave Heart Will Take the Bride) and My Big Fat Greek Wedding. While there is a significant body of scholarship on the representation of the family in Hollywood cinema, an analysis of the depiction of the diasporic family in cinema from a comparative transnational angle has yet to be attempted. This book fills this gap and provides an essential resource for academics and researchers with an interest in cinematic representations of the family and transnational cinema.The work will answer the following key questions: 1. Why is diasporic cinema characterised by a preponderance of family narratives?2. How does the diasporic family as constructed in cinema relate to or differ from models of family life in dominant social groups?3. What role does authorship play in the depiction of the diasporic family?4. How does diasporic cinema negotiate the aesthetic and generic conventions of film genres commonly associated with the representation of the family?Key featureso In-depth thematic study in the field of transnational film studieso Truly international coverage, including traditions of non-Western film cultureso Interdisciplinary approach offering an original and innovative model to encourage further researcho Planned companion website with a searchable database of relevant films, bibliographical references and an interactive discussion forum on key issues and themes (if AHRC funding application is successful, the website will also include podcasts of interviews with a number of filmmakers and other industry professionals).