The appreciation of form is a common preoccupation in aesthetic analyses of films. The concept of form, however, has traditionally troubled philosophers of art, and although its meaning and significance have been debated throughout history, a common understanding is not always easy to discern. This article reviews certain ambiguities regarding “form” in film aesthetics through an examination of the uses of the word, especially in relation to content, medium, and style. Through this discussion, both the significance of the word is explained, but also the type of analysis it allows for.
Melenia Arouh, Associate Professor in Communication and Cinema Studies at The American College of Greece. Her teaching and research are on film aesthetics, and film and media studies. Email: m.arouh@acg.edu