Reception Theories and Cinema:
Spectators and audiences, authors and readers
February 10 to 12, 2010, Clermont-Ferrand, France
Université Blaise Pascal (Clermont-Ferrand 2), France
February 10 to 12, 2010
Centre de recherche sur les Littératures et la 
socio-poétique (CE.L.I.S.) ? EA 1002
Equipe « Littératures 20/21 » (sous la responsabilité de Sylviane COYAULT)
Conference organizers :
Christophe GELLY (Université Blaise Pascal) ? 
<mailto:(cgelly /at/ yahoo.fr)>(cgelly /at/ yahoo.fr)
David ROCHE (Université de Bourgogne) ? 
<mailto:(mudrock /at/ neuf.fr)>(mudrock /at/ neuf.fr)
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It is not easy to cover the numerous studies of 
reception theory as applied to literature. 
Generally speaking, two main approaches are 
distinguished: 1) the study of real audiences at 
specific moments in time (e.g. Jauss), and 2) 
the study of how the work of fiction seems to 
construct an implied or ideal reader (e.g. Iser, 
Eco). In film studies, the question of reception 
tends to take on the first apparoch (e.g. Janet 
Staiger), focusing on interpretations of a given 
film as determined by its historical and 
cultural context, and not necessarily by its 
narrative structure and/or aesthetics.
This conference aims at tackling different 
aspects of the question of reception (both 
historical and aesthetic) in order to conciliate 
two approaches which Jauss and Iser did not see 
as antagonistic but complementary. Theoretical 
frameworks such as psychoanalysis (e.g. Metz) 
and cognitive psychology can be considered, but others are obviously welcome.
The conference will, however, favor three angles:
1) can literary reception theory be applied to 
cinema and how? In what ways are literary and 
film reception similar, different, etc.?
2) to what extent can film adaptation and 
?novelization? be considered as instances of literary or filmic reception?
3) is it possible to say that certain literary 
works offer instances of film reception insomuch 
as they refer to cinema to construct narratives 
and or characters (Jean Echenoz), reflect on the 
history and/or process of film-making (Paul 
Auster), or constitute cinema as a form of 
modern mythology, e.g. depicting the fictitious 
lives of stars (Joyce Carol Oates)?
The question of reception will raise questions 
of aesthetic effect, interpretation and context 
and, ultimately, lead to wonder at how fiction 
contaminates reality and/or other fictions. The 
three axes will each aim at underlining the 
complexity of reception theory as applied to two 
fields, cinema and literature. Talks can deal 
with films and literary works from all countries 
and all genres, and must be presented in either 
French or English. Proposals should be addressed 
to the two organizers before September 30, 2009.
Christophe GELLY (Université Blaise Pascal) ? 
<mailto:(cgelly /at/ yahoo.fr)>(cgelly /at/ yahoo.fr)
David ROCHE (Université de Bourgogne) ? 
<mailto:(mudrock /at/ neuf.fr)>(mudrock /at/ neuf.fr)
David Roche, Université de Bourgogne
4, rue Georges Lavier
21000 Dijon
FRANCE
<mailto:(mudrock /at/ neuf.fr)>(mudrock /at/ neuf.fr)
+33 (0)3.45.34.79.02