David Thomson Releases "A Sudden Flicker of Light" Film History

Film critic and historian David Thomson has released his latest book, "A Sudden Flicker of Light," a comprehensive and eccentric history of cinema. The book, subtitled a "revisionist" history, spans over a century of filmmaking, from its early days to contemporary works. Thomson, an author of more than 40 books, approaches the subject with the characteristic flair and depth that has defined his career.

The narrative begins with the cine-prehistory, referencing the work of photographer Eadweard Muybridge, and moves through seminal films and figures. It covers early cinematic milestones such as Fritz Lang's "Metropolis" and D.W. Griffith's "The Birth of a Nation," noting the latter's controversial hero-worship of the Ku Klux Klan. Thomson also delves into the works of iconic directors and actors, including Charlie Chaplin, Erich von Stroheim, Alfred Hitchcock, Frank Capra, Jean Renoir, Humphrey Bogart, and Marilyn Monroe, famously depicted in "The Seventh Year Itch."

Further into the book, Thomson explores more modern cinematic achievements and controversies. He discusses F. Scott Fitzgerald's "The Last Tycoon," Martin Scorsese's "Goodfellas," and David Lynch's "Mulholland Drive," posing questions about its dreamlike or reality-based narrative. The text also touches upon significant, and at times controversial, aspects of Hollywood history, including allegations surrounding Kirk Douglas and Natalie Wood, and highlights independent and arthouse films like Barbara Loden's "Wanda," Sean Baker's "Anora," and Tracey Emin's "Why I Never Became a Dancer."