We are interested in essays which encompass neorealism in relation to a variety of national cinema traditions and/or specific directors, as well as a variety of theoretical approaches. While the collection of essays is already sizeable, we are still soliciting previously unpublished work and are especially interested in considerations of African, British, Eastern European, Iranian, Brazilian or Russian film. However, all inquiries are welcome.

The parameters of the Italian neorealist movement in cinema have been loosely and somewhat controversially defined to include didactic, political films that address social issues in a cinematic format that tended to provide ideological and aesthetic alternatives to mainstream Hollywood film narratives. While the idea of influence recognizes, in some instances, the direct and explicit relationship certain directors and filmic traditions have with neorealism, we have avoided understanding this influence as a unidirectional annexation of neorealist techniques onto different socio-political topoi. We emphasize, rather, the fluid, intertextual relationship between films. The collection discusses a diverse array of national cinema traditions in dialogue each other, shedding new and long-overdue light upon Italian neorealisms ongoing impact on independent directors who work inside and outside of established film industry norms.

Due to the fact that we are working closely with a publisher, the deadline for receipt of a one-page proposal or completed essays (approximately 25 pages in length) is September 1, 2004. Please contact us as soon as possible with your intention to submit a proposal or essay. Electronic submissions are welcome.

Editors: Laura E. Ruberto (University of California, Davis) and Kristi M. Wilson (Stanford University).