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Classics of Modern European Cinema

Classics of Modern European Cinema. Dept. of Modern Languages & Literatures Fall 2010 Prof. Karl Skutski. Objectives. Objectives. 1 . Introduce you to the major traditions of European cinema. Objectives.

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Classics of Modern European Cinema

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  1. Classics of Modern European Cinema Dept. of Modern Languages & Literatures Fall 2010Prof. Karl Skutski

  2. Objectives Objectives 1.Introduce you to the majortraditions of European cinema.

  3. Objectives 2. Demonstrate how film reflects the “Zeitgeist" of an era--i. e., how both the content and aesthetics of cinema are influenced by the reigning philosophy of the times, as well as historical, political, economic, sociological and cultural conditions.

  4. Objectives 3. Enhance your critical analysis, research, and writing skills, by demonstrating how to view and analyze film with a critical, discerning eye, and develop informed, supportable opinions--skills that are applicable to your future academic and professional careers.

  5. Objectives 4. Introduce you to film theory (such as Bazian cinematic realism, feminist theory, and various postmodern theories), and illustrate how such critical theories can be utilized to produce different readings of a film.

  6. Objectives 5. Help you prepare for the "global society" in which you will live and work, by giving you a greater appreciation for the cultures of other nations, and a greater understanding of how contemporary cultures influence each other.

  7. Objectives 6. Compare and contrast European cinematic traditions with the artistic and sociological values inherent in American film.

  8. Objectives 7. Expand your aesthetic comfort zones and negate your identities!

  9. Objectives Enjoy some great flicks!

  10. Requirements • Participation & BB exercises 20% • PPT “background” presentation 5% • Paper #1 (no research) 10% • Paper #2 (research) 15% • Final project 25% • Exam(s) 25%

  11. Course Web Site www.skutski.org • Dynamic class schedule • Class description and materials • Guidelines for papers • “Launching pad” for your research: • Assigned articles (direct links) • On-line film journals • Background information on: • Film movements • Film theory • Directors • Postmodernism • Feminism • Etc., etc., etc.

  12. Begin where you live… You view the world through postmodern lenses.

  13. Begin where you live… Your aesthetics have been socially constructed.

  14. We live in hyperreality • We live in a state of hyperreality. • The media mediates reality for us. • The media IS our reality. • We prefer the copy over the original.--Jean Baudrillard, Simulucra

  15. We live in hyperreality • Reality has become too dull for us—we prefer it sliced and diced with plenty of eye candy. • Nike commercial • The Interpreter • Mission Impossible • Rock video

  16. The Hollywood Model • Your brains have become “hard-wired”: • Constant eye-candy • Rapid montage editing • Manipulative sound tracks and special effects • Editor controls your reaction and emotional response • No need to “think”

  17. The Hollywood Model • Rapid montage editing • “Manufactured” in post production(few films have the “auteur” stamp) • Non-diegetic music • Star-centric • Shot-reverse-shot • Special effects • Formulaic approach to narrative • Hero - Problem - Overcome- Happy Ending

  18. The Power of Cinema “The most important medium for educating the masses …and engineering the human soul.” V. I. Lenin

  19. The Power of Cinema Brainwashing Propaganda Group think

  20. Classical European Cinema • Cultural shock • Cinematic realism:Long-takes Deep focus The incarnate, liminal image • You must actively participate in the scene

  21. Classical European Cinema • Purpose of the course: • STRETCH YOUR AESTHETIC COMFORT ZONES !!! • Negate your identities!

  22. The Hollywood Machine Worldwide box office receipts Avatar Titanic Lord of the Rings Harry Potter Star Wars Forest Gump Matrix Oceans 11 Meet the Parents Trainspotting Secrets & Lies Run Lola Run Red $2.7 billion $1.8 billion $1.1 billion 900 million 700 million 500 million 400 million 300 million 80 million 20 million 7 million 4 million 1 million Representative list of films-not a complete historical ranking

  23. The Power of Cinema “The Yanks have colonized our subconscious.”--Wim Wenders

  24. The Power of Cinema “Americans have turned every cinema in the world into the equivalent of an American consulate.” --UK government report

  25. Major European Traditions Soviet Montage2. German Expressionism3. French Impressionism4. Italian Neorealism5. French New Wave6. Art Cinema (Symbolism)7. Spanish Surrealism 8. Young & New German Cinemas9. British Social Realism 10. Postmodernism New Spanish CinemaCinema VeriteCzech New WaveAvante-GardeThaw (post-Stalin)Serbian Magical RealismSecond Italian WaveSwinging LondonCinema du lookHyperrealismExperimental

  26. Traditions are reactions to status quo Nazi & Heimat: New German CinemaFrench “Tradition of Quality” French New WaveFascism Italian NeorealismBritish Imperialism British Social Realism Soviet Socialist RealismCzech New Wave

  27. What is reality? ZEIT GEIST PHILOSOPHY FILM

  28. What is reality? ZEIT GEIST PHILOSOPHY FILM

  29. What is reality? ZEIT GEIST PHILOSOPHY FILM

  30. What is reality? ZEIT GEIST PHILOSOPHY FILM

  31. Cinematic Traditions ZEIT GEIST MOVIES Economic& social conditionsHistoric events Pop cultureThe artsIntellectual climate/ philosophy FILM

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