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Classics of Modern European Cinema

Dept. of Modern Languages & Literatures

Fall 2010Prof. Karl Skutski



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Objectives

1. Introduce you to the major traditions of

European cinema.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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

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

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Enjoy some great flicks!

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Participation & BB exercises 20%

PPT “background” presentation 5%

Paper #1 (no research) 10%

Paper #2 (research) 15%

Final project 25%

Exam(s) 25%

Requirements



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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.

Course Web Site www.skutski.org



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You view the world through postmodern lenses.

Begin where you live…



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Your aesthetics have been socially constructed.

Begin where you live…



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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

We live in hyperreality



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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

We live in hyperreality



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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”

The Hollywood Model



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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

The Hollywood Model



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“The most important medium for

educating the masses …and

engineering the human soul.”

V. I. Lenin

The Power of Cinema



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Brainwashing

Propaganda

Group think

The Power of Cinema



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Classical European Cinema

Cultural shock

Cinematic realism:

Long-takes

Deep focus

The incarnate, liminal image

You must actively participate in the scene



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Purpose of the course:

STRETCH YOUR AESTHETIC COMFORT ZONES !!!

Negate your identities!

Classical European Cinema



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The Hollywood Machine

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

Worldwide box office receipts

Representative list of films-not a complete historical ranking



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The Power of Cinema

“The Yanks have colonized our subconscious.”

--Wim Wenders



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The Power of Cinema

“Americans have turned every cinema in the world into the

equivalent of an American consulate.”

--UK government report



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1. Soviet Montage

2. German Expressionism

3. French Impressionism

4. Italian Neorealism

5. French New Wave

6. Art Cinema (Symbolism)

7. Spanish Surrealism

8. Young & New German Cinemas

9. British Social Realism

10. Postmodernism

Major European Traditions

New Spanish Cinema

Cinema Verite

Czech New Wave

Avante-Garde

Thaw (post-Stalin)

Serbian Magical Realism

Second Italian Wave

Swinging London

Cinema du look

Hyperrealism

Experimental



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Traditions are reactions to status quo

Nazi & Heimat: New German Cinema

French “Tradition of Quality” French New Wave

Fascism Italian Neorealism

British Imperialism British Social Realism

Soviet Socialist Realism Czech New Wave



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What is reality?

ZEIT GEIST PHILOSOPHY FILM



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What is reality?



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What is reality?




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What is reality?



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Cinematic Traditions

Economic& social conditions

Historic events

Pop culture

The arts

Intellectual climate/ philosophy

ZEIT GEIST MOVIES

FILM

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