Compiled and written by Sean Delaney, Christophe Dupin, Sophie Gee, Stephen Gordon, Andrea Harrow, Ayesha Khan, Nathalie Sergent, Joe Sieder, Emma Smart and Kristy Widdicombe.
With this guide we have set out to give the user a few pointers in the direction of auteur theory, suggested some 'auteurs' to consider, and generally tried to open up the topic for you. In so doing we are conscious that the "auteur" debate can be quite daunting, especially once a student moves from relatively straightforward definitions into the underlying theory and philosophy that some writers and commentators utilise in interpreting and analysing the topic.
To start the ball rolling: a number of people have contributed to this guide - but (it might be argued) all under my direction. This could imply that this is my guide and that I am therefore the author (auteur), but as the words are not my own, it is fairly clear that I could not be regarded as an 'auteur'. If this was a film, and I was the director, we might argue as to whether my direction of the process was so complete as to overpower any input from my collaborators, and this is one of the key points that debates have revolved around: film-making is often such a collaborative process that auteurship might not be said to occur easily.
A second issue to consider is about organisational control: if this guide is a product of the bfi any claim I might have to be its creator might be nullified, in the same way that a studio system might influence the input of any director to their finished film.
The reader needs to understand that there is a considerable European tradition that says that film-makers develop recognisable styles, unfettered by a studio system (even if they work within one) and the finished film expresses their own philosophy of life, thoughts, politics and worldview distilled into their own creative output. This has quite a lot to do with the creation of works of art (films), and film being seen in the light of this tradition. So, with these points in mind, you should now begin to engage with the arguments, which the references in this guide will lead you to. Don't be put off by the list of directors whose work we have chosen to focus on: some of these may seem difficult, but then again, some of the 'difficult' ones may be your favourites. If in doubt, see what you make of some of those who seem to work more in the mainstream, like Steven Spielberg or Woody Allen.
Download Auteur Theory/Auteurs (PDF, 643k)
The Contemporary Auteur: An Interview with Sally Potter
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