The Validity Crisis in Contemporary Film Theory and Possible Solutions (1970-2012)

Before 70s, prescriptive, universal, and dogmatic theories were dominant in the world of film theories. These theories were based on Marxist and Liberal grand narratives. Since 1970, the increasing validity crisis has begun in film theories, in other words, both of the previous film theories lost their validity and there began a process of producing and reproducing of small film theories. These theories are limited in their effects and lifetimes. So in current time we cannot rely on a trustworthy theoretical framework or a grand narrative. Concerning the condition, it could be asked whether in this situation a consensus in film theory can be reached and new meta narrative can be produced or not? What could be basically written about cinema without a theoretical framework? In this article old and current conditions of film theory are described by using language game theory and the important moments and turning points of film theory would be analyzed. The main goal is to choose a way and a new goal for film theory in current time.