The European Cinema Reader is a comprehensive introduction to the theory and practice of national cinemas in Europe, bringing together classic writings by key filmmakers such as Sergei Eisenstein, Luis Buñuel and John Grierson, and critics from Andre Bazin to Peter Wollen. Contributors explore attempts to define European film culture and examine key issues of auteurism and the art house film, national cinemas, the relationship between European film and Hollywood, and issues of funding and distribution. Each section features an editor's introduction setting debates in their context, and the volume concludes with a comprehensive bibliography.