Congrats on surviving the midterm!
Most of the readings for next week ARE NOT online so please go to reserves and make a photo copy to study. Yes, I know this requires you to pay money, but consider it cheaper than an actual reader.
That said, you can find the fantastically titled “Laura Mulvey Meets Catherine Tramell Meets the She-Man: Counter History, Reclamation, and Incongruity in Lesbian, Gay, Queer Film and Media Criticism” by Julia Erhart by clicking here.
Please come to tutorial. I'm showing fun movies.
Eli
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Final Essay
FILM 2400: Film Theory
Final Essay (due May 25, by 12pm) Leave your essays in one of the envelopes on my office door (CFT 215).
7-10 pages (double-spaced, 12pts Times New Roman) + Works Cited Page (following MLA style)
Sources: You are required to use at least 5 print sources in your paper. At least three of the sources MUST be from our syllabus. You cannot use any Internet sources (unless the source is a valid online academic journal: check with me first).
Choose ONE of the following topics:
1. What is queer theory? What are its premises? What are its objectives? What are some of the tensions/contradictions within this theory? What are the advantages of this theory (e.g. how does it contribute to our understanding of film or what can it tell us about film that other theories can’t; what aspects of film that remain ignored in other film theories are illuminated or explained by queer theory)? On the other hand, what are the disadvantages of queer theory (e.g. is it applicable to all films; does it ignore certain important aspects of film that other theories deal with in greater detail or more successfully)? How does Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (Howard Hawks, 1953) function as a queer text? How does the film reflect, illustrate or perhaps challenge some of the key premises of queer theory?
2. What is ‘postmodern cinema’? What is a ‘postmodern approach to cinema’? Is there such a thing as a ‘postmodern theory’ of film? What are some of the difficulties in defining ‘Post-Structuralism’, ‘Deconstruction’ and ‘Post Modernism’? What are some of the tensions/contradictions within this approach to cinema? What are its advantages (e.g. how does it contribute to our understanding of film or what can it tell us about film that other theories can’t; what aspects of film that remain ignored in other film theories are illuminated or explained by the postmodern approach to film)? On the other hand, what are the disadvantages of post-structuralist and deconstructivist readings of film? How does Being John Malkovich (Spike Jonze, 1999) function as a postmodern text? How does the film reflect, illustrate or perhaps challenge some of the key premises of postmodernism, post-structuralism and deconstruction?
3. How does cognitive/analytical theory challenge “Grand Theory’? What are the premises of cognitive/analytical theory? What are its objectives? What are some of the tensions/contradictions within this theory? What are the advantages of this theory (e.g. how does it contribute to our understanding of film or what can it tell us about film that other theories can’t; what aspects of film that remain ignored in other film theories are illuminated or explained by cognitive/analytical theory)? On the other hand, what are the disadvantages of this theory (e.g. is it applicable to all films; does it ignore certain important aspects of film that other theories deal with in greater detail or more successfully)? How do films like Un Chien Andalou (Luis Bunuel, 1929) and Following (Christopher Nolan, 1998)—or any other film screened in class— reflect, illustrate or perhaps challenge some of the key premises of cognitive/analytical theory?
4. What is postcolonial theory? What are its premises? What are its objectives? What are some of the tensions/contradictions within this theory? What are the advantages of this theory (e.g. how does it contribute to our understanding of film or what can it tell us about film that other theories can’t; what aspects of film that remain ignored in other film theories are illuminated or explained by postcolonial theory)? On the other hand, what are the disadvantages of this theory (e.g. is it applicable to all films; does it ignore certain important aspects of film that other theories deal with in greater detail or more successfully)? How does How Tasty Was My Little Frenchman (Nelson Pereira dos Santos, 1971) function as a postcolonial text? How does the film reflect, illustrate or perhaps challenge some of the key premises of postcolonial theory?
5. What does it mean for a film to be ‘philosophical’? What is ‘philosophy of film’? What are its premises? What are its objectives? What are some of the tensions/contradictions within this theory? What are the advantages of this theory (e.g. how does it contribute to our understanding of film or what can it tell us about film that other theories can’t; what aspects of film that remain ignored in other film theories are illuminated or explained by philosophy of film)? On the other hand, what are the disadvantages of this theory (e.g. is it applicable to all films; does it ignore certain important aspects of film that other theories deal with in greater detail or more successfully)? What does it mean to approach Eclipse (Michelangelo Antonioni, 1962) as a philosophical text? What are the philosophical limits of Michelangelo’s film? What are the limits of a philosophical approach to his film? (Note the distinction between ‘the philosophical limits of film’ and ‘the limits of a philosophical approach to film’.)
6. What does it mean to talk of ‘avant-garde cinema’, ‘experimental cinema’, ‘visionary cinema’ or ‘underground cinema’? Do these terms refer to the same type of cinema? How do avant-garde filmmakers and theorists like Maya Deren and Stan Brakhage challenge established ideas about the nature of film as an art form? Why do some film theorists argue that avant-garde cinema can be seen as a return to the aesthetics of early cinema? In addition to the films screened in class, you may refer to any other films by Deren and Brakhage.
Final Essay (due May 25, by 12pm) Leave your essays in one of the envelopes on my office door (CFT 215).
7-10 pages (double-spaced, 12pts Times New Roman) + Works Cited Page (following MLA style)
Sources: You are required to use at least 5 print sources in your paper. At least three of the sources MUST be from our syllabus. You cannot use any Internet sources (unless the source is a valid online academic journal: check with me first).
Choose ONE of the following topics:
1. What is queer theory? What are its premises? What are its objectives? What are some of the tensions/contradictions within this theory? What are the advantages of this theory (e.g. how does it contribute to our understanding of film or what can it tell us about film that other theories can’t; what aspects of film that remain ignored in other film theories are illuminated or explained by queer theory)? On the other hand, what are the disadvantages of queer theory (e.g. is it applicable to all films; does it ignore certain important aspects of film that other theories deal with in greater detail or more successfully)? How does Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (Howard Hawks, 1953) function as a queer text? How does the film reflect, illustrate or perhaps challenge some of the key premises of queer theory?
2. What is ‘postmodern cinema’? What is a ‘postmodern approach to cinema’? Is there such a thing as a ‘postmodern theory’ of film? What are some of the difficulties in defining ‘Post-Structuralism’, ‘Deconstruction’ and ‘Post Modernism’? What are some of the tensions/contradictions within this approach to cinema? What are its advantages (e.g. how does it contribute to our understanding of film or what can it tell us about film that other theories can’t; what aspects of film that remain ignored in other film theories are illuminated or explained by the postmodern approach to film)? On the other hand, what are the disadvantages of post-structuralist and deconstructivist readings of film? How does Being John Malkovich (Spike Jonze, 1999) function as a postmodern text? How does the film reflect, illustrate or perhaps challenge some of the key premises of postmodernism, post-structuralism and deconstruction?
3. How does cognitive/analytical theory challenge “Grand Theory’? What are the premises of cognitive/analytical theory? What are its objectives? What are some of the tensions/contradictions within this theory? What are the advantages of this theory (e.g. how does it contribute to our understanding of film or what can it tell us about film that other theories can’t; what aspects of film that remain ignored in other film theories are illuminated or explained by cognitive/analytical theory)? On the other hand, what are the disadvantages of this theory (e.g. is it applicable to all films; does it ignore certain important aspects of film that other theories deal with in greater detail or more successfully)? How do films like Un Chien Andalou (Luis Bunuel, 1929) and Following (Christopher Nolan, 1998)—or any other film screened in class— reflect, illustrate or perhaps challenge some of the key premises of cognitive/analytical theory?
4. What is postcolonial theory? What are its premises? What are its objectives? What are some of the tensions/contradictions within this theory? What are the advantages of this theory (e.g. how does it contribute to our understanding of film or what can it tell us about film that other theories can’t; what aspects of film that remain ignored in other film theories are illuminated or explained by postcolonial theory)? On the other hand, what are the disadvantages of this theory (e.g. is it applicable to all films; does it ignore certain important aspects of film that other theories deal with in greater detail or more successfully)? How does How Tasty Was My Little Frenchman (Nelson Pereira dos Santos, 1971) function as a postcolonial text? How does the film reflect, illustrate or perhaps challenge some of the key premises of postcolonial theory?
5. What does it mean for a film to be ‘philosophical’? What is ‘philosophy of film’? What are its premises? What are its objectives? What are some of the tensions/contradictions within this theory? What are the advantages of this theory (e.g. how does it contribute to our understanding of film or what can it tell us about film that other theories can’t; what aspects of film that remain ignored in other film theories are illuminated or explained by philosophy of film)? On the other hand, what are the disadvantages of this theory (e.g. is it applicable to all films; does it ignore certain important aspects of film that other theories deal with in greater detail or more successfully)? What does it mean to approach Eclipse (Michelangelo Antonioni, 1962) as a philosophical text? What are the philosophical limits of Michelangelo’s film? What are the limits of a philosophical approach to his film? (Note the distinction between ‘the philosophical limits of film’ and ‘the limits of a philosophical approach to film’.)
6. What does it mean to talk of ‘avant-garde cinema’, ‘experimental cinema’, ‘visionary cinema’ or ‘underground cinema’? Do these terms refer to the same type of cinema? How do avant-garde filmmakers and theorists like Maya Deren and Stan Brakhage challenge established ideas about the nature of film as an art form? Why do some film theorists argue that avant-garde cinema can be seen as a return to the aesthetics of early cinema? In addition to the films screened in class, you may refer to any other films by Deren and Brakhage.
Monday, April 20, 2009
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Hunger
The most astonishing film I saw at TIFF last year, and one of the most interesting films from recent memory, is the British artist Steve McQueen's film Hunger. The film is ostensibly about the six week hunger strike of a charismatic and fanatical IRA operative, Bobby Sands, though it touches on many issues in the course of its laconic narrative.
I highly recommend this film and think you will be blown away by its apparent authenticity and intensity. It wont be playing for long so catch it this week if you can...
Eli
I highly recommend this film and think you will be blown away by its apparent authenticity and intensity. It wont be playing for long so catch it this week if you can...
Eli
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Study Guide
Some people from tutorial suggested they would get together and distribute questions for the upcoming exam to make a communal study guide. You are welcome to post these answers in the comments section of this post with your name attached.
I would like to reiterate however, that I WILL NOT be moderating these questions and the correctness of each answer is completely up to the person answering. Furthermore, this is not required of anyone and I am in no way going to grade people. I am not interested in who does and does not contribute--it is entirely up to the tutorial students. Because of the nature of sharing the study guide, I would advise everyone posting answers to be sure they are writing the correct answer. Conversely, the person studying the answer does not relieve themselves of responsibility if they write an incorrect answer because they memorized an incorrect answer. Use these as a beginning point, not an end point to the study guide you create.
In another note, this midterm will be difficult. I would advise you to carry the study guide around with you for the rest of the week and to spend at very least, an hour per day memorizing questions and dead time (like riding public transport or sitting on the can) re-reading answers. Create flashcards for each question and put point form answers on the back. Ask a friend to test you every night.
Good Luck!
Eli
I would like to reiterate however, that I WILL NOT be moderating these questions and the correctness of each answer is completely up to the person answering. Furthermore, this is not required of anyone and I am in no way going to grade people. I am not interested in who does and does not contribute--it is entirely up to the tutorial students. Because of the nature of sharing the study guide, I would advise everyone posting answers to be sure they are writing the correct answer. Conversely, the person studying the answer does not relieve themselves of responsibility if they write an incorrect answer because they memorized an incorrect answer. Use these as a beginning point, not an end point to the study guide you create.
In another note, this midterm will be difficult. I would advise you to carry the study guide around with you for the rest of the week and to spend at very least, an hour per day memorizing questions and dead time (like riding public transport or sitting on the can) re-reading answers. Create flashcards for each question and put point form answers on the back. Ask a friend to test you every night.
Good Luck!
Eli
Readings
Be sure to get to the reserves and make copies of the readings from the Oxford Guide to Film Studies. The Benjamin essay is widely available on the net.
Eli
Eli
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