By formulating a notion of 'filmic reality', The reality of film offers new ways of understanding our relationship with cinema. It argues that cinema does not merely refer to, reproduce or represent reality, but has the capacity to create its own kinds of realities. Filmic reality is explored through the work of six key film theorists: André Bazin, Christian Metz, Stanley Cavell, Gilles Deleuze, Slavoj Žižek and Jacques Rancière. Comprehensive introductions are provided to each of these thinkers, whilst many myths and misconceptions about them are effectively debunked. The notion of filmic reality that emerges from this discussion radically reconfigures our understanding of cinema. This book is essential reading for film scholars, students and philosophers of film, while it will also appeal to graduate students and specialists in other fields.