The cinema of Michelangelo Antonioni (1912-2007) embodies - more than that of any other
director - the substance of European art cinema. Antonioni's films are intensely stylized, stylish,
demanding, beautiful, daring, frustrating, and gratifying. Antonioni died on 30 July 2007, eerily
the exact same day that his art cinema rival Ingmar Bergman also passed away. Antonioni's
death - perhaps too conveniently - seemed to mark a terminal point in film history. More
importantly, his death brought home immediately the need to reassess Antonioni's contribution
to world cinema.This collection of new essays by leading film scholarsaddresses Michelangelo Antonionias apre-eminent figure in European art cinema, explores his continuing influence and
legacy, and engages with his ability to both interpret and shape ideas of modernity and modern cinema.
