the theory that creative directors are the major force in film-making
auteur theory in American English
noun
(in film criticism)
a theory that the director is the chief creator of a film and gives it an individual style that is evident in all aspects of the finished product
Word origin
[1960–65]This word is first recorded in the period 1960–65. Other words that entered Englishat around the same time include: buyback, deinstitutionalize, go-go, proxemics, zip code
Examples of 'auteur theory' in a sentence
auteur theory
Sure he subscribed to the auteur theory; but he had to make a living, too.