Comprehensive, authoritative, and unique, The Oxford Guide to Film Studies is the up-to-date critical volume on the theories, debates, and approaches to the study of film. A host of international experts provide an overview of the main disciplinary approaches to film studies, an explanation of the main concepts and methods involved in film analysis, a survey of the main issues and debates in the study of film, and critical discussion of key areas. The Guide features: * Comprehensive coverage suitable for any course on cinema or film studies * Organized into three sections: Approaches; Hollywood and the World; World Cinema * An emphasis throughout on critical concepts, methods, and debates * Specially commissioned chapters on such varied topics as film music, the Hollywood Star System, and the idea of national cinema * Coverage dedicated to important new areas in film studies: gay and lesbian criticism, postcolonial theory, audience studies, post-classical Hollywood cinema, and cultural studies * Chapters discussing exciting new developments in classical topics, such as Early Hollywood Cinema, Film History, and the avant-garde* Illustrated throughout, and complete with `readings' designed to demonstrate the variety of theoretical approaches, chapter headings and summaries, guides to further reading, and `highlight' quotes With its uniquely comprehensive coverage, The Oxford Guide to Film Studies is an indispensable aide and reference source for the student of film and media, and anyone interested in the study of cinema.