Cinema Across Borders: World Cinema in the Age of Globalization
The course explores the cinematographic, industrial, and ideological conditions of film-making since 1990, with an emphasis on political, social, and environmental issues (post-communism, mass migration, #metoo, global warming) as well as changes to the cinematic apparatus (the blockbuster, film festivals, digitization).
The course comprises five modules. Each module starts with in-class discussion of 2-3 assigned films, followed by a project in which student groups will curate a promotional for the module (including additional films) and share it with the entire class.
This is a 300-level, core course in the film studies track. Students are expected to be familiar with basic terms in film analysis.
Grading components:
Reading reports 18 (10 × 2 points, lowest score dropped)
Viewing reports for class-discussion films 32.5 (14 × 2.5 points, lowest score dropped)
Viewing reports for project-related films 8 (4 x 2 points)
Project reports 28 (1 x 4.5 points + 4 × 6 points)
In-class assignments 13 (15 x 1 points, two lowest scores
dropped)
(Total 100)
March 29: Introduction
- GLOBAL JUSTICE AND THE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVALS CIRCUIT
March 31: A Filmless festival (PRC)
April 5: Divine Intervention (Palestine) (festival-less film)
April 7: Group project 1
- THE POST-POST-COLD WAR
April 12: Good Bye Lenin (Germany)
April 14: In the Heat of the Sun (PRC)
April 19: The Act of Killing (U.S./Indonesia)
April 21: Group project 2
- MIGRATION AND RACIAL TENSIONS
April 26: La Haine (France)
April 28: The World (PRC)
May 3: Jupiter’s Moon (Hungary)
May 5: Group project 3
- REALISM IN THE DIGITAL AGE
May 10: Ten (Iran)
May 12: The Congress (U.S./Israel)
May 17: Birdman (U.S.)
May 19: Group project 4
- NEW SEXUAL POLITICS
May 2: Dev D (India)
May 26: Wadjda (Saudi Arabia)
May 31: Angels Wear White (PRC)
June 2: Group project 5