📖 Overview
B. Ruby Rich is a prominent American film critic, scholar, and professor known for her work in feminist film theory and analysis of independent and experimental cinema. Her writing and criticism have significantly influenced film studies, particularly in relation to New Queer Cinema, a term she coined in 1992.
Rich's academic career includes teaching positions at multiple institutions, including UC Santa Cruz where she served as Professor of Film and Digital Media. Her most notable works include "Chick Flicks: Theories and Memories of the Feminist Film Movement" (1998) and "New Queer Cinema: The Director's Cut" (2013).
Throughout her career, Rich has contributed extensively to major film publications including The Village Voice, The Guardian, and Sight & Sound. She served as editor of Film Quarterly from 2011 to 2023, one of the longest-running academic film journals in the United States.
Rich's influence extends beyond academia through her work as a festival programmer, juror, and cultural critic addressing issues of gender, sexuality, and political cinema. Her analytical framework has helped shape contemporary understanding of independent film movements and their relationship to social change.
👀 Reviews
Readers particularly value Rich's perspective on queer cinema and feminist film theory in academic settings. Her books serve as key reference materials in film studies courses.
What readers liked:
- Clear analysis of complex film movements and cultural shifts
- Personal accounts that connect theory to lived experience
- Detailed examination of overlooked filmmakers and works
- Accessible writing style for academic texts
What readers disliked:
- Dense theoretical language can be challenging for non-academic readers
- Some find her political perspectives too prominent in analysis
- Limited coverage of mainstream commercial films
Ratings & Reviews:
"New Queer Cinema: The Director's Cut" (2013)
- Goodreads: 4.1/5 (89 ratings)
- Amazon: 4.3/5 (12 reviews)
"Chick Flicks" (1998)
- Goodreads: 3.9/5 (67 ratings)
- Amazon: 4.0/5 (8 reviews)
Common reader comment: "Essential for film students but requires background knowledge in film theory."
📚 Books by B. Ruby Rich
Chick Flicks: Theories and Memories of the Feminist Film Movement (1998)
A collection of essays examining feminist film theory, women's cinema, and the evolution of feminist film criticism during the 1970s and 1980s.
New Queer Cinema: The Director's Cut (2013) An analysis of LGBTQ+ cinema from the 1990s to the 2010s, including interviews with filmmakers and discussions of key films that defined the movement.
Time Piece (1970) A short experimental film exploring time, memory, and personal identity through non-linear narrative techniques.
The Films of Yvonne Rainer (1989) A critical study of avant-garde filmmaker Yvonne Rainer's work, examining her transition from choreography to experimental cinema.
Critical Visions in Film Theory (2010) A comprehensive anthology of film theory covering various approaches to cinema studies, co-edited with Timothy Corrigan and Patricia White.
New Queer Cinema: The Director's Cut (2013) An analysis of LGBTQ+ cinema from the 1990s to the 2010s, including interviews with filmmakers and discussions of key films that defined the movement.
Time Piece (1970) A short experimental film exploring time, memory, and personal identity through non-linear narrative techniques.
The Films of Yvonne Rainer (1989) A critical study of avant-garde filmmaker Yvonne Rainer's work, examining her transition from choreography to experimental cinema.
Critical Visions in Film Theory (2010) A comprehensive anthology of film theory covering various approaches to cinema studies, co-edited with Timothy Corrigan and Patricia White.
👥 Similar authors
Laura Mulvey writes about feminist film theory and developed the concept of the male gaze in cinema studies. Her work examining power dynamics and gender representation in film parallels Rich's critical analysis approach.
bell hooks focuses on intersectional cultural criticism and media analysis from feminist and racial perspectives. Her writing style combines academic theory with accessible cultural commentary similar to Rich's work.
Annette Kuhn examines film history and theory with emphasis on gender and memory studies. Her analysis of women's roles in cinema culture aligns with Rich's interests in feminist film scholarship.
Teresa de Lauretis writes about queer theory, semiotics, and feminist film studies. Her theoretical frameworks for analyzing gender and sexuality in media complement Rich's contributions to LGBTQ film discourse.
Patricia White specializes in feminist film criticism and queer media studies. Her work on women's cinema and lesbian representation builds on foundations similar to Rich's New Queer Cinema writings.
bell hooks focuses on intersectional cultural criticism and media analysis from feminist and racial perspectives. Her writing style combines academic theory with accessible cultural commentary similar to Rich's work.
Annette Kuhn examines film history and theory with emphasis on gender and memory studies. Her analysis of women's roles in cinema culture aligns with Rich's interests in feminist film scholarship.
Teresa de Lauretis writes about queer theory, semiotics, and feminist film studies. Her theoretical frameworks for analyzing gender and sexuality in media complement Rich's contributions to LGBTQ film discourse.
Patricia White specializes in feminist film criticism and queer media studies. Her work on women's cinema and lesbian representation builds on foundations similar to Rich's New Queer Cinema writings.