Scientist makes secret service an open book
The secret services as an open book: A lexicon of spy fiction and films
(firmenpresse) - British spy fiction and its translations to the big screen are currently being studied as part of a project by the Austrian Science Fund FWF. The findings are due to be published in two reference works which combine informed academic analysis with an accessible and entertaining style.
British secret agents from James Bond to George Smiley have had no trouble making the leap from the page to the silver screen. However, there is much more to the depiction of secret agents as playboys, amateur adventurers or calculating masterminds, as well as their mission to glean secret information, than first meets the eye. "This popular genre has proven itself as an ideal means for familiarising a large group of readers with prime examples of national heroism or commentaries on topics like corruption and treason," explains Alan Burton, a researcher at the Alpen-Adria Universität Klagenfurt, as well as the University of Leicester. One starting point for the study is the decisive influence of Great Britain on the public's perception of secret services by virtue of being the world's leading source of spy fiction and films. Burton is now compiling the project findings into two published studies on spy fiction and movie espionage.
From amateurs to pros
One important step in the FWF project is the publication of the "Historical Dictionary of British Spy Fiction". In 300 entries spread across over 500 pages, Burton provides an overview of more than a century of spy fiction, its authors as well as its secret agent characters, in the context of cultural history. As Burton explains, "Before the First World War, there was no intelligence system in England, and novels presented the spy as a gentleman from the upper classes, who as an amateur adventurer not only defied the main adversary Germany, but also saved the empire in the process." The genre then peaked during the Cold War era. Political developments during this time formed the backdrop to John Le Carré's George Smiley novels as well as Ian Fleming's James Bond series, for instance. "Le Carré, who worked for the British Secret Service himself, addressed socio-political issues regarding loyalty and patriotism more realistically and cynically," says Burton. Contemporary novels pick up on fears of invasion similar to those of the late Victorian period, however, the focus today is on topics like terrorism and the surveillance and the (mis)use of sensitive data. As the soon-to-be-published work shows, the years of research have certainly been worthwhile – not least as the "Historical Dictionaries" series is a fixture in library inventories around the globe and the work will therefore be available to millions of readers worldwide.
Espionage on the silver screen and in the living room
This study will be followed by another publication from Edinburgh University Press. This study will, for the first time, examine espionage dramas in film and TV right up to the present day. Special attention is dedicated to the depiction of new threats since the end of the Cold War and spy figures in a production and reception context. Various cinematic interpretations have been observed down the years. For example, at the start of the Thatcher Era, "The shift to the right in British politics was also reflected in a range of TV espionage dramas, which once again nostalgically picked up on the tradition of the gentleman hero combating simplified enemies. These are contrasted by productions which address espionage scandals and political involvement, and problems with handling secret information and issues of national security," explains Burton. Overall, 73 films and 70 TV dramas are analysed and considered in their historical and critical contexts.
"Intelligence" is not only for intelligence studies
By including aspects of cultural history in the study, the FWF project reveals the multi-facetted socio-political issues covered in spy fiction and espionage films. This not only provides valuable insights and perspectives for the emerging discipline of intelligence studies, but also for interested members of the general public.
Unternehmensinformation / Kurzprofil:
FWF Austrian Science Fund
The Austrian Science Fund (FWF) is Austria's central funding organization for basic research.
The purpose of the FWF is to support the ongoing development of Austrian science and basic research at a high international level. In this way, the FWF makes a significant contribution to cultural development, to the advancement of our knowledge-based society, and thus to the creation of value and wealth in Austria.
Scientific Contact:
Dr. Alan Burton
Leicester University
Department of the History of Art and Film
University Road
Leicester LE1 7RH, UK
T +44 / 116 / 229 7916
E ab841(at)le.ac.uk
W https://le.ac.uk
Austrian Science Fund FWF:
Marc Seumenicht
Haus der Forschung
Sensengasse 1
1090 Vienna, Austria
T +43 / 1 / 505 67 40 - 8111
E marc.seumenicht(at)fwf.ac.at
W http://www.fwf.ac.at/en
Copy Editing & Distribution:
PR&D – Public Relations for Research & Education
Mariannengasse 8
1090 Vienna, Austria
T +43 / 1 / 505 70 44
E contact(at)prd.at
W http://www.prd.at/en
Datum: 08.01.2016 - 10:02 Uhr
Sprache: Deutsch
News-ID 443084
Anzahl Zeichen: 4280
contact information:
Contact person: Till C. Jelitto
Town:
Vienna
Phone: 0043 1 505 70 44
Kategorie:
Various
Typ of Press Release: Erfolgsprojekt
type of sending: Veröffentlichung
Date of sending: 08.01.2016
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"Scientist makes secret service an open book"
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