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Andrew Sarris As An Auteur Theory

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How, why and in what senses can a film director be regarded as the ‘author’ of a film? Discuss with reference to at least two films screened in this course

The theory of auteurship has influenced film criticism since 1954 and continues to be analysed as a concept defines film directors as artists. When comparing the works of Steven Spielberg and Joss Whedon it is clear that both directors posses some of the qualities of what Andrew Sarris defines as an auteur and ultimately should be classed as such.

Auteur theory began with French New Wave cinema. It is a French term meaning “authorship.” That is, the author’s “vision and personality are ‘written’ into the text” (Auteur Criticism). Auteur theory explains “that in the presence of a director
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