Author of 'Performing the Dark Arts: A Cultural History of Conjuring' speaks at film festival

As part of the Compass of Mystery Festival in Bristol, author of Intellect's book Performing the Dark Arts: A Cultural History Michael Mangan is concluding an exciting evening of magic and illusion events by discussing and introducing Christopher Nolan's film The Prestige:

Screening of The Prestige (12) (Nolan, 2006, 130min) & Introduction
A dark drama about two rival magicians (Christian Bale & Hugh Jackman), so committed to their art that they will fight for supremacy to the death, or so it seems... This adaptation of Christopher Priest‘s novel is a murky and mysterious tale that twists and meanders through the dark streets of late-19th Century London, skirting stranger horizons before winding back to its perplexing, terrifying finale. The film will be introduced by Michael Mangan, academic expert on magic, magicianship and conjury.

This event takes place on Saturday 11 October, 18.30–22.30, £4 / £3 at Mivart Street Studios, Mivart Street, Easton, Bristol.

Directions can be found here:

http://www.compass-film.co.uk/index.php?id=61

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Book Launch

The Iris Prize Festival, Cardiff's International Gay and Lesbian Short Film Prize 2008, takes place this week (2^nd – 4^th October).

As part of the proceedings, Friday 3rd October at 17.30 sees the long-awaited launch of our new title Queer Cinema in Europe. The launch takes place at the Atrium, Cardiff School of Creative & Cultural Industries, Adam Street, Cardiff, CF24 2XF (click here for directions).

During the course of the launch, Robin Griffiths will discuss his new edited book, Queer Cinema in Europe with Ceri Sherlock, Commissioning Executive, Arts BBC Wales in a one hour Q & A session. Copies of the book will be available to buy from Intellect's stand at the event - there will also be information about Intellect and promotional material at the stand - so come and say hello!

The new book, edited by Griffiths, draws together a number of accessible and insightful essays that explore, for the first time, an exciting new area of academic analysis and debate. Through case studies of key films and film-makers, the contributors to this volume resituate discussions of queer representation and desire within a diverse and divergent European context. The book raises many provocative questions about understandings of gender, sexuality and identity in film that spill across a variety of national borders, cultures and traditions.

For more information about the event, go to:
http://www.irisprize.org/index.html

(If you attended this event, tell us what you thought by posting a comment on the blog!)

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The social network revolution....

John Berra, author of Declarations of Independence: American Cinema and the Partiality of Independent Production has formed his own group on the hugely popular social networking site Facebook.

Visit: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=8593674129 to view the 'Declarations of Independence - Alternative Cinema Discussion Group.'

You'll find recent news, photos and a discussion board for heated debate on all things independent film-related, plus film recommendations and of course 'The Wall' for members to leave their comments.

If you're an author or editor of one of Intellect's books or journals why not think about setting up your own Facebook group related to your publication?

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Latest Issue of IQ – out now!

The Spring 2008 edition of IQ magazine is available now. IQ lets you in on all the latest releases and what the authors, editors and publishers at Intellect have to say! Why not take a look at what IQ has to offer this spring…

Hear what it is that makes Intellect stand out from the crowd in an exclusive interview with Intellect’s Marketing Manager, Sam King: ‘Intellect’s ethos is reflected in its particular production and editorial policies- for example, there is little editorial intervention in comparison with other publishers… Intellect strives to represent the author authentically rather than to appease the reader.’

Read relevant and up-to-date articles, including David Cronenberg: An Author Looking for a Text, in which author Mark Browning explores the director’s adaptations of literary texts for the big screen, a fascinating Q & A session with the editors of the recently launched Journal of War and Cultural Studies, and Beatles fans won’t want to miss IQ’s interview with John Scheinfeld director of The U.S. vs. John Lennon.

To download your copy, go to www.intellectbooks.com/magazine/IQ6.pdf or email us on info@intellectbooks.com to order a free paper copy.

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