Building on the groundwork laid by the AS Film Studies syllabus, A2 Film Studies: The Essential Introduction introduces students to the diversity of cinematic styles and to different film cultures as well as positioning film within wider political, cultural and artistic debates. The book is designed to support students through the transition from a focus on textual analysis to the consideration of the wider contexts that inform any study of Film. Individual chapters cover the following key areas: The Small Scale Research Project Practical Application of Learning Studies in World Cinema The Film Text and Spectator Producers and Audiences  Issues and Debates Messages and Values  Critical Approaches Specially designed to be user-friendly, A2 Film Studies: The Essential Introduction includes: activities sample exam questions further reading a glossary of key terms and resources case studies