Saving cinema the politics of preservation - Frick, Caroline (Oxford University Press, 2010)
Includes bibliographical references and index
The politics of preservation -- Defining the national : rationales for "American" film preservation -- Justifying the national : the "American" film heritage movement -- Defending the national : international discourse and global film heritage -- Challenging the national : towards a more inclusive film heritage -- The plurality of preservation
The importance of media preservation has in recent years achieved much broader public recognition. From the vaults of Hollywood and the halls of Congress to the cash-strapped museums of developing nations, people are working to safeguard film from physical harm. But the forces at work aren't just physical. The endeavor is also inherently political. What gets saved and why? What remains ignored? Who makes these decisions, and what criteria do they use? Saving Cinema narrates the development of the preservation movement and lays bare the factors that have influenced its direction. Archivists do