‘Embodied Encounters: New Approaches to Cinema and Psychoanalysis,’ edited by Creative Digital Film Production Course Leader Dr Agnieszka Piotrowska, was released by Routledge last week.

The book is a series of collaborative essays written by leading thinkers in film studies, discussing ‘the role of the unconscious in our visceral approaches to cinema’.

Dr Piotrowska said: “I have had the privilege of editing it and leading an astonishing group of internationally renowned scholars who work in psychoanalysis and film.

“We come from different theoretical backgrounds, deal with documentary and fiction, and are united in our conviction that psychoanalysis still has a lot to offer to film studies.”

The publication has been met by positive reviews, with Richard Rushton of Lancaster University saying:

“Embodied Encounters is a timely collection, a significant statement of how important psychoanalysis is for illuminating what films do… Essential reading for anyone who cares about cinema.”

Todd McGowan, of the University of Vermont in the USA, says the book “represents a landmark moment in the intersection of psychoanalysis and film studies”.

Dr Piotrowska, alongside her academic work, is an award-winning and BBC-trained documentary filmmaker. She also recently won a pitch competition as part of The Zimbabwe International Film Festival.

Dr Piotrowska believes her practical work in the industry is of great benefit to Bedfordshire students.

“It's great fun for me to continue to do creative film and theatre work alongside the academic research. I believe it enriches our students' experience too, judging from the results of our new courses,” she said.

Dr Piotrowska’s new book is to be celebrated at a symposium at the Freud Museum on October 27. The University of Bedfordshire is sponsoring the event, tickets for which  can be booked here