The Cinema of Disorientation by Dominic Lash

Description

The Cinema of Disorientation: Inviting Confusions by Dominic Lash is an in-depth exploration of how certain films deliberately disorient viewers, challenging conventional narrative structures, spatial coherence, and cinematic expectations. Lash examines how filmmakers use techniques such as ambiguous storytelling, fragmented editing, and unconventional framing to create a sense of confusion, forcing audiences to engage with films in new and thought-provoking ways. The book investigates a wide range of films that employ disorientation as a stylistic and thematic tool, analyzing how these works disrupt traditional modes of perception. Lash draws on philosophy, film theory, and cognitive science to explain why disorientation is not merely a byproduct of complex storytelling but a deliberate artistic strategy that invites deeper reflection on cinema itself. Through detailed case studies, The Cinema of Disorientation discusses films from various genres and movements, including experimental cinema, avant-garde works, and mainstream films that incorporate unconventional narrative techniques. Lash also engages with the writings of key theorists such as Gilles Deleuze and Stanley Cavell, situating his argument within broader philosophical and aesthetic discussions about cinema’s ability to shape perception and understanding. This book is a valuable resource for scholars, film students, and cinephiles interested in how disorientation functions in cinema. It offers a fresh perspective on how filmmakers challenge audiences, demonstrating that confusion can be an invitation to engage with film in a more active and reflective manner.