Endings in the Cinema

Exploring the concept of film endings, this book shifts focus from narrative resolution to the intricate elements that create the sensation of closure. It identifies three central motifs—thresholds and boundaries, water, and the beach—as key structures in film endings. The beach, symbolizing a blend of water and boundary, emerges as a significant site in cinema, particularly in post-classical films across various genres and cultures. By analyzing beach endings, the author highlights their aesthetic depth and structural intricacies, revealing their prominence since 1910.