George Melnyk Knihy

Great Canadian Film Directors is the first major study that reflects the cultural and linguistic diversity of Canada’s most dynamic film directors. The 19 essays in this collection focus on each filmmaker’s ability to create a vision that both reveals and redefines our national cultures. Together, these essays, by established and emerging scholars, highlight the diversity, imaginative power, and talent of Canadian filmmakers. This collection’s value is in its contemporary analysis of major figures as well as critical discussions of the work of women directors and young filmmakers. Filmographies and selected bibliographies for each director provide film students and the movie-going public with an unrivalled study of a cinema that now garners world attention.

George Melnyk, an associate professor at the University of Calgary, explores Canadian cinema through his writings. His notable works include "One Hundred Years of Canadian Cinema," which provides a comprehensive overview of the country's film history. Additionally, he has edited significant collections such as "The Young, the Restless, and the Dead," featuring interviews with Canadian filmmakers, and "The Gendered Screen," which focuses on the contributions of Canadian women filmmakers. His scholarly contributions highlight the evolution and diversity of Canadian film.

The book presents a compelling argument that Canadian cinema is not a monolithic art form but rather a rich tapestry reflecting the diverse languages and voices of Canada's population. It explores how various cultural influences shape the cinematic landscape, highlighting the importance of representation and the multifaceted nature of Canadian storytelling in film.

Exploring the intersection of personal experience and cinema, George Melnyk offers ten essays that reflect on Canadian and international films. Through autobiographical insights, he shares his beliefs and sensitivities, analyzing notable works such as Leolo, Last Night, Clearcut, and Alien. This collection invites readers to consider how film resonates on an individual level, blending personal narrative with critical film analysis.

Exploring the intricate relationship between literature and identity, this memoir delves into the author's experiences as an Alberta writer across various genres. George Melnyk examines why certain works resonate more with readers than others, addressing the influence of reviews, cultural trends, and financial realities on creativity. As the first literary memoir from an Alberta writer, it provides a unique perspective on the literary landscape in western Canada, revealing the challenges and nuances of the writing profession.

Alberta's contradictory landscape has fired the imaginative energies of writers for centuries. The sweep of the plains, the thrust of the Rockies, and the long roll of the woodlands have left vivid impressions on all of Alberta's writers―both those who passed through Alberta in search of other horizons and those who made it their home. The Literary History of Alberta surveys writing in and about Alberta from prehistory to the middle of the twentieth century. It includes profiles of dozens of writers (from the earnestly intended to the truly gifted) and their texts (from the commercial to the arcane). It reminds us of long-forgotten names and faces, figures who quietly―or not so quietly―wrote the books that underpin Alberta's thriving literary culture today. Melnyk also discusses the institutions that have shaped Alberta's literary culture. The Literary History of Alberta is an essential text for any reader interested in the cultural history of western Canada, and a landmark achievement in Alberta's continuing literary history.