Examines both the experience of the global cinema industry in particular places, and also the power of the cinema to articulate compelling visions of collectivity in different places at particular times and considers the following questions: What is the relationship between 'world cinema' and 'national cinemas'? Is it an economic question, a cultural question, or both? Is 'world cinema' anything more than all those films that are not made in Hollywood? What is 'national' about national cinemas? How are films supposed to speak for, as well as to, a mass of strangers who happen to share national citizenship?