Cultural Studies paper by Kovács, Steven
The Hungarian Contribution to the Films of Ernst Lubitsch (Accepted)
Type of Abstract (select):Abstract (max. 250 words):
Ernst Lubitsch (1892-1947) is considered to be Hollywood’s most elegant and sophisticated director, known for his urbane comedies of manners. Ninotchka, The Shop Around the Corner, To Be or Not To Be, Heaven Can Wait are some of his best-known gems. He is still the subject of scholarly work, most recently Joseph McBride’s HOW DID LUBITSCH DO IT? published in 2019.Throughout his career he had a number of Hungarian collaborators as writers and actors. But all of the best known films of the sound era were based on stories and plays written by Hungarians--Ernest Vajda, Melchior Lengyel, Miklos Laszlo, Laszlo Bus-Fekete, Lajos Biro. To what extent was Lubitsch’s success due to the witty, urbane cynicism of the café culture of Budapest writers and intellectuals? This paper will examine their contribution.
Brief Professional Bio (max. 100 words):
Steven Kovacs is a filmmaker and professor of film at San Francisco State University. He is the author of a book on French Surrealist film and dozens of articles on film, art, and politics. He is a producer and director of feature films and documentaries, including ’68, ANGEL BLUE, THE LADY IN RED, and Academy Award Nominated documentary ARTHUR AND LILLIE.