A Companion to Luis Buñuel

Few cinematic figures are more controversial-or misunderstood-than the Spanish-born Mexican filmmaker Luis Buñuel (1900-1983). Condemned by the Vatican, exiled by Spain's Franco dictatorship, winner of an American Oscar, celebrated by the French New Wave, this creator of cinematic Surrealism is widely hailed as one of the most original directors in the history of film. A Companion to Luis Buñuel presents an extensive collection of critical readings that examines myriad facets of Buñuel's life, works, and cinematic themes. Contributed to by many of the world's most distinguished film experts and emerging young scholars on Buñuel and Surrealism, the multidisciplinary readings offer new approaches to his films that reflect and challenge recent developments in the humanities and contemporary film studies while remaining faithful to the paradoxical, ambivalent and heterogeneous nature of Buñuel's work. In-depth analysis of the contribution of Buñuel to Spanish, French, and Mexican cinema utilizing a wide range of original textual, theoretical, and historical approaches is offered on topics ranging from Buñuel's fascination with firearms and insects to his portrayals of feminine sexuality, Surrealism, and violence. A Companion to Luis Buñuel offers bold new insights to help shape our understanding of the enigmatic genius of one of the giants of world cinema.