A pioneer in the field, Christian Metz applies insights of structural linguistics to the language of film.The semiology of film . . . can be held to date from the publication in 1964 of the famous essay by Christian Metz, 'Le cinéma: langue ou langage?'—Geoffrey Nowell-Smith, Times Literary SupplementModern film theory begins with Metz.—Constance Penley, coeditor of Camera ObscuraAny consideration of semiology in relation to the particular field signifying practice of film passes inevitably through a reference to the work of Christian Metz. . . . The first book to be written in this field, [Film Language] is important not merely because of this primacy but also because of the issues it raises . . . issues that have become crucial to the contemporary argument.—Stephen Heath, Screen | Film Language by Christian Metz, Paperback | Indigo Chapters