Cinematic Perspectives on International Law

Why are constitutionalist ideals so prominent in science fiction? Does Independence Day depict self-defence as a legal concept with absolute limits? Is international law lost in space?

This innovative interdisciplinary volume represents the first exploration of the relationship between international law and cinema. From Star Wars to Werner Herzog, The Godfather to The West Wing, this book uncovers a diverse range of representations of international law and its norms in film and television. Examining the wider links between international law, cinema, and ideology, the contributions not only examine visual representations of international law, but they offer an essential insight into the functions fulfilled by these cinematic representations.

Providing an extraordinary introduction to a variety of perspectives on core international legal questions, Cinematic perspectives on international law extends a valuable methodology by which international lawyers can critique the depiction of international law in film.

About the author

Olivier Corten is Professor of International Law at the Université libre de Bruxelles

François Dubuisson is Professor of International Law at the Université libre de Bruxelles

Martyna Falkowska-Clarys is an attaché at the Belgian Judicial Training Institute

Product details

• Authors: Olivier Dubuisson Corten
• Assisted by: Corten Olivier (Editor), Dubuisson Francois (Editor), Martyna Falkowska-Clarys (Editor)
• Publisher: Manchester University Press
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Release: 20.01.2026
• EAN: 9781526195715
• ISBN: 978-1-5261-9571-5
• No. of pages: 248
• Series: Melland Schill Perspectives on International Law
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > Art > Theatre, ballet; Social sciences, law, business > Law > International law, foreign law; POLITICAL SCIENCE / International Relations / General, POLITICAL SCIENCE / Comparative Politics, LAW / International, International Law, Films, cinema, Comparative Politics, International institutions, PERFORMING ARTS / Film / General, Individual Film Directors, Film-Makers, PERFORMING ARTS / Individual Director, International institutions / intergovernmental organizations