American independent cinema is a fascinating movement with a number of distinct aesthetic traits. To my mind it became all the more important with the death of post-classical Hollywood.
Marcuse's 'Aesthetic Dimension' and 'One Dimensional Man' and Adorno's writing on the "culture idustries" along with Barthes writing on semiotics in 'Mythologies' and Raymond Williams and Bourdieou's foundational writings on cultural value and power bring much to the discussion. Hebidge's on 'Style: The Meaning of Subculture' is perhaps the most interesting and accesible text on the subject of late 20th century identity, power and youth culture. Although no grounding in cultural studies would be complete without something by Stuart Hall.
The Scottish "indie" or "proto-indie" of the mid 80's to my mind is timeless, beautifully creating complete enclosed worlds to get lost in.
It is important discussions like this are had (as they are all so often on the escapist) because there might well be some new original insight amongst the ramblings beyond discourses of 'the personal is political' and 'memory work'.
Marcuse's 'Aesthetic Dimension' and 'One Dimensional Man' and Adorno's writing on the "culture idustries" along with Barthes writing on semiotics in 'Mythologies' and Raymond Williams and Bourdieou's foundational writings on cultural value and power bring much to the discussion. Hebidge's on 'Style: The Meaning of Subculture' is perhaps the most interesting and accesible text on the subject of late 20th century identity, power and youth culture. Although no grounding in cultural studies would be complete without something by Stuart Hall.
The Scottish "indie" or "proto-indie" of the mid 80's to my mind is timeless, beautifully creating complete enclosed worlds to get lost in.
It is important discussions like this are had (as they are all so often on the escapist) because there might well be some new original insight amongst the ramblings beyond discourses of 'the personal is political' and 'memory work'.
