ABSTRACT
The first part of this introduction analyzes the sociohistorical context that has defined Europe thus far in the 21st century, explaining the determining factors that provoked the global crisis through the merging of financial, sociopolitical, moral, labor, and housing crises. This introductory chapter explains how the 2008 crisis has destabilized the concept of a unique European identity and implies that the inability of the European Union (EU) to deal effectively and efficiently with the multiple crises has weakened its institutions and credibility. The second part of this Introduction unpacks the complexities of “national” European cinemas and the labels of art and auteur cinema that primarily accompany most productions. By carefully studying the various ways the European Union intervenes and/or assists its member states' cinema, we confirm that the auteur and/or art thesis is reinforced by almost all funding EU policies to the detriment of other parameters, such as distribution, which need to be addressed if European cinema can become antagonistic in the global film landscape.
