Fr. 76.80

Deconstructing Will Smith - Race, Masculinity and Global Stardom

English · Paperback / Softback

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Description

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Acclaimed actor and rap artist Will Smith has achieved a level of Hollywood fame rarely attained by a Black celebrity. Early in his career, Smith aspired to be the world's most famous movie star and being named the world's top film attraction in 2008, fulfilled his goal. While his rise to a place of worldwide prominence and cultural relevance has made him iconic, his accomplishments have not received the full and thorough acknowledgement and analysis they merit.
This is the first full-length critical look at the significance of Will Smith's achievements over a more than 30-year career. Many of his films have broken cultural norms by depicting Black men in groundbreaking social settings, like the role of the world-saving hero in his most popular films. In addition to analyzing Smith's filmography, this work contextualizes other popular and common portrayals of Black men in media and society. Finally, this book examines Smith's work in his middle age, ruminating on his ability to adapt to the realities of a new Hollywood.

List of contents










Table of Contents

Acknowledgments

Prologue: A Slap Heard Round the World

Introduction: Deconstructing Will Smith

One-Reading Will Smith: Floating Signs and the Semiotics of Stardom

Two-Culturally Mulatto

Three-A Slave to Fashion

Four-Hottentot Adonis

Five-A Postlude to a Kiss

Six-Science Fictions and Racial Facts

Seven-Dynamic Duos and Magical Negroes

Eight-Genre, Interrupted

Conclusion: The Biggest Movie Star in the World

Filmography

Selected Videography

Chapter Notes

Works Cited

Index


About the author










Willie Tolliver is a professor of English at Agnes Scott College in Atlanta where he is director of Africana studies and film studies.

Summary

Offers the first full-length critical look at the significance of Will Smith’s achievements over a more than 30-year career. In addition to analysing Smith’s filmography, this work contextualizes other popular and common portrayals of Black men in media and society.

Product details

Authors Willie Tolliver
Publisher McFarland
 
Languages English
Product format Paperback / Softback
Released 31.12.2022
 
EAN 9781476675695
ISBN 978-1-4766-7569-5
No. of pages 238
Dimensions 178 mm x 254 mm x 13 mm
Weight 456 g
Subject Humanities, art, music > Art > Photography, film, video, TV

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