Conclusion

This work of Cavellian film criticism examines how the indie response films teach us to think about film fantasy in terms of its closeness to reality rather than its distance from reality. In addition to exploring new perspectives and interpretations on these films and making a meaningful contribution to the ongoing scholarship on the intentions, styles and methods of these important independent filmmakers, this book is intended to advance three other areas of scholarly inquiry. First, film scholars interested in the work of Cavell should undertake more projects of Cavellian-style film criticism. Second, it is important for film critics and scholars to pay more attention to the process of developing the criteria for classifying some films as masterpieces of cinematic art. Third, in order to better formulate the oppositional potential of fantasy films, the field of fantasy film criticism needs to expand its understanding of the relationship between reality and fantasy beyond the notion of ontological differences.