Transcendence and Film

Eastern Division (Washington, DC): January 6-9, 2016
Pacific Division (San Francisco, CA): March 30 – April 3, 2016

These panel sessions will be devoted to a discussion of the ways in which the existentialist and phenomenological theme of “transcendence” permeates film. We are especially interested in the ways that film illustrates the limits of human understanding and the interruption of human consciousness and life. This will include the analysis of film shots and film scenes that are not governed solely by the logic of the dialogue and narrative but also by cinematic elements (music, cinematography, montage, acting performance, etc.) that help to create moments of psychological, existential, and/or spiritual illumination for film characters as well as for the audience. Papers may thereby explore the intersections between psychology and philosophy. Papers that concentrate on the work of one or more film directors with existentialist or phenomenological leanings are particularly helpful. Also, the KJSNA especially welcomes papers that incorporate relevant existentialist concepts from the philosophy of Karl Jaspers, e.g., limit situations, Existenz, encompassing, transcendence, ciphers of transcendence, and existential communication.

Presentations should be held to 20 minutes max in presentation time, however, extended versions of the presentations will be considered for publication in Existenz.

Please send by email your working title, brief abstract (150 words), a short biographical statement (ca. 100 words), and telephone/email contact. The deadline for the Eastern Division Meeting is June 10, 2015. The deadline for the Pacific Division Meeting is September 8, 2015. Candidates who are willing to participate at either location should send by the earlier deadline. See the following web link: http://www.bu.edu/paideia/kjsna/papercall.html.