PsychMinded Media is thrilled to announce the release of Black Film Through a Psychodynamic Lens, a groundbreaking new book by acclaimed media psychologist, Dr. Katherine Marshall Woods. This book offers a fresh and insightful analysis of fifty years of Black cinema through the unique perspective of psychodynamic theory that explores patterns, conflicts, and the impact of the unconscious.
In Black Film Through a Psychodynamic Lens, Dr. Marshall Woods delves into the intricate relationship between psychological dynamics and cinematic representation while exploring the nuances of characters navigating and expressing complex emotional landscapes. This pioneering work provides a thorough examination of themes of identity, trauma, resilience, recovery, love, and self-discovery as depicted in 50 years of influential Black films, offering both accessibility and academic rigor for readers and scholars alike.
Black Film Through A Psychodynamic Lens covers a wide array of films from classic to contemporary, including detailed analyses of seminal works and emerging voices in the industry. Dr. Marshall Woods’ innovative approach sheds new light on how Black cinema not only reflects but also influences psychological and cultural narratives.
Dr. Marshall Woods commented on the release, saying, “Black cinema has always been a powerful medium for expressing the multifaceted experiences of the human condition. By applying psychodynamic theory to this rich body of work, I hope to offer new insights into the emotional and psychological dimensions of these films and honor the contribution they have had upon audiences’ ways of thinking, feeling and understanding the world. By holding a greater awareness of the impact Black films have had, and continue to have, in both reflecting and sculpting Black culture leaves sheer awe of the talent and courage demonstrated to bring this art to life” she stated.
About the author:
Dr. Marshall Woods, CEO of PsychMinded Media and the Director of Graduate Studies in the Professional Psychology Program at The George Washington University Professional Psychology Program teaches Psychodynamics and Cinema and is at the helm of the Psychodynamic Film and Media Set research lab at the university. Dr. Marshall Woods has been a contributor with the former American Psychological Association’s PsycCritiques and Huffington Post examining the marriage between psychology and film. Today, she continues to contribute to Thrive Global and Psychology Today on her platform PsychMinded Set providing audiences with thoughtful insights on media consumed through psychological concepts. Her first publication, Best Psychology in Film (2018) was stated as a critical book to consult on psychology in film in the Handbook of Media Psychology (2024), a publication she was invited to contribute her expertise in the chapter exploring psychology and film. The book became a television show in 2020 with UDCtv entitled: Best Psychology in Film where Dr. Marshall Woods hosts and produces this 2024 Telly Award-winning production. Black Film Through a Psychodynamic Lens is a culmination of her many years of contributing to media psychology showcasing the excellence of psychological elements found within Black cinematic works and the indelible imprints they have made upon audiences.
About PsychMinded Media
PsychMinded Media is the leading media psychological firm that works with filmmakers at various stages of development. With psychology interwoven into all human experiences, filmmakers work to capture the human condition and consult PsychMinded Media to add texture to characters and developing themes. Media works that include mental health-related symptoms and diagnoses are collaborated upon to ensure accuracy in the portrayal and representation of mental health presentations. Completed cinematic and media projects are supported by PsychMinded Media to highlight the psychological elements found within the art to promote conversations with the general public during screenings, panel discussions and media outlets.
Black Film Through a Psychodynamic Lens is available for pre-order now through major retailers and directly from Routledge Publishing, www.routledge.com
