Between Classical and Postclassical Theory: Metz on Specificity Then and Now

The question of cinematic specificity was one of the central themes in the history of classical film theory, something indicated by the elaboration of a variety of terms and phrases various theorists coined to designate the special qualities of cinema, such as montage,photogenie, the redemption of physical reality, and others. At first glance, the interest in debating and interrogating specificity seems to go much against the spirit of our own times, which emphasizes mixtures and crossovers among various media. Perhaps this emphasis in our own time has to do with developments within theory as well as with intensely heightened