Fascinating stuff, the vast majority of which I knew absolutely nothing about previously.

One name I do know is Peter Kubelka, and I was surprised to see his work blamed in part for turning Austrian audiences away from the cinema and towards television. Were Kubelka's films really exhibited in places where an unsuspecting audience might have the chance to be alienated by them?

Wow--I knew Austria had a major moment in film during the 1930s, but I also had no idea about the amazing rest. Given the fact that so many Austrians were in Hollywood film, why is this the first time anyone has been able to read about this history? I am going after Dassanowsky's book immediately. I hope he might cover the current scene as well (e.g. after 2000). Hint, hint.

Funny you should say, Cara. Yes. Will happen. Not immediately, though, but it'll be worth the wait.

This Austrian survey is one of the best primers you've done so far (Japan to 1960 having been my fave), and given the high quality of the others, that IS saying something.

Brian, I believe the author doesn't mean the brilliant Kubelka personally alienated audiences or that they were unsuspecting, but that the avant garde did not radicalize mainstream film as in French New Wave, instead they remained apart and violently against it. If you've seen Actionist art or film, you know what I'm talking about! So most of the traditional filmgoers of the time were simply turned-off. Dassanowsky has written a fascinating essay on what happened in Austrian film in the 60s at Undercurrent: www.fipresci.org/undercurrent/issue_0306/dassanowsky_austria.htm Its another fine read.

really well done!