Pragmatic visionary : the prescriptions of American independent filmmaker John Sayles : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Media Studies at Massey University, Albany, New Zealand

Abstract

This thesis is concerned with the exploration and analysis of the style, themes and issues of American independent filmmaker John Sayles. Up until the time of writing (2001) Sayles has made and released twelve feature length films and from this oeuvre I have chosen eight films for analysis: Baby, It's You (1983); The Brother From Another Planet (1984); Matewan (1987); Eight Men Out (1988); City of Hope (1991); Passion Fish (1992); Lone Star (1996); and Limbo (1999). Having selected these films as the focus of my research I will then ask the following questions: ♦ Are there consistencies in themes, issues and characters in Sayles films? ♦ If the answer to the above is yes: • What are the salient characteristics of these consistent features? and • Do the salient characteristics of these consistent features indicate a particular authorial worldview, if you will, a Sayles' Weltanschauung?