Metropolis restored

For a silent film, I give it a thumbs up. I was surprised by the biblical influence/reference/plot within the movie. For a futuristic movie that is almost a hundred years old, I think it has come the closest to predicting the future. I also find myself amused at the style of acting during the twenties.

The Host:  A very good movie.  The theme seemed cautiously relevant to current world issues.  As this Korean movie plot unfolded the unexpected scenes were intriguing.  Great movie!

The Host

I was so impressed with this Korean movie - so many little subplots going on in the background.  The family dynamic and background were very interesting, as was the background story of a nonexistent virus, which helped the fear grow in our minds.    After doing a little digging, I learned that the basis of this film - the poisoning of the river, was partially inspired by a similar incident which occured in South Korea back in 2000, by a Korean mortician working for the US who dumped large amounts of formaldehyde down the drain.  Scary!!!  The film reminded me of some older movies with similar story lines, ie., Godzilla or Alligator, but with more depth, compelling characters, and subplots  Nicely done!

Unforgivable showing at Eckerd College

November 30, 2012 - 7pm

Unforgivable
Directed by André Téchiné (French with English subtitles, 111 minutes, 35mm screening)

Modern-day Venice forms a picturesque backdrop for this study of human relationships as another form of tourism.  A writer (André Dussollier) moves to Venice and quickly moves in with his real estate agent, his daughter, an actress, drops in for a visit and disappears, leaving her daughter behind.  In search of his daughter, the writer hires a private investigator with a complex family and past of her own.

Syllabus - PEL Fall 2 - 2012

FL 224G-201 – INTERNATIONAL CINEMA

PEL Fall 2 – 2012

Instructor: Tom Hammond

Contact: hammontm@eckerd.edu, 813-900-4759

Office hours: before and after class or by appointment

Classroom:  Our regular classroom is in FT 210.  We will have some screenings in Miller Auditorium, but be sure and come to the first class session in FT 210.

Course description:  This course surveys the basic trends, genres and filmmakers that exist outside the American Film Industry.  We will study various national film histories, styles and movements with an emphasis on their cultural, social and political underpinnings.

Text:  The Oxford History of World Cinema (Nowell-Smith)

Netflix Subscription:  You will be required to view some films outside of class.  All of these assignments will be streamable on Netflix.  A monthly subscription costs $9.  The first month is sometimes free.

Course Requirements: One essay, a mid-term and final exam, blog postings, quizzes, attendance and participation.  A film journal may be submitted for extra credit.

Grade Distribution:

Essay -                        20%

Blog Postings -            20%

Exams -                       20%

Quizzes -                     20%

Att. & Part. -               20%

Film Journal -             (+10%)

Essay:  You will write a paper (5-7 pages) on a subject of your choice, with instructor approval.

Blog Postings – You will be invited to author on a class blog.  You can post on subjects within class studies and comment on the postings of other students.  Film reviews, research, clips, trailers, stills and links of interest all qualify for credit.

Exams – There will be two, objective style exams during the term.  Reviews will be conducted the week before each test.

Quizzes – Random quizzes will gauge your adherence to the home viewing assignments.

Attendance and Participation:  Any pattern of absence will adversely affect your grade.  Come prepared to discuss your viewings and readings.

Extra Credit Opportunity – A journal of all your outside film viewings and readings, other than those assigned, can be handed in at the end of the term for a potential 10% addition to your grade.

Disabilities Accommodations:  If you have a disability or believe that you qualify for accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act or other laws, please contact Disability support Services at extension8248 or via email at dss@eckerd.edu as soon as possible.  Appropriate accommodations can only be arranged through that office, and may not be made retroactively.

Academic Dishonesty Policy:  students should familiarize themselves with Eckerd College’s policy on academic dishonesty.  Information can be found at: http://www.eckerd.edu/library/services/plagiarism/ec-policies.php

Class Schedule

(All readings are from “The Oxford History of World Cinema”)

Week 1

            Lecture subject: Early German Cinema

Introductory screening: “Cinema Paridiso”

            Class screening: “The Cabinet of Dr. Calagari”

            Viewing assignment: “Metropolis Restored”

            Reading assignment: “Germany: The Weimar Years” p. 136

Karl Freund – p. 314

Fritz Lang – p. 196

F.W. Murnau – p. 146

Conrad Veidt – p. 140

Week 2

            Lecture subject: Italian Neo-Realism

            Class screening: “The Interrupters” (special screening in Miller)

            Viewing assignment:”The Bicycle Thief”

            Reading assignment: “Italy From Fascism to Neo-Realism” – p.353

Roberto Rossellini – p. 438

Vittorio De Sica – p. 360

Federico Fellini – p. 587

Luchino Visconti – p. 440

 Week 3

            Choice of subject for paper due for approval

            Review for exam        

            Lecture subject:  The French New Wave

            Class screening: “Beasts of the Southern Wild” (screening in Miller)

            Viewing assignment:”A Woman is a Woman”

            Reading assignment: “New Directions in French Cinema” – p.576

“Art Cinema” – p. 567

Jean Luc Godard – p. 752

Raoul Coutard – p. 487

Jacques Tati – p. 351

Anatole Daumar – p. 571

Week 4 – Mid Term Exam

            Lecture subject: Spain and Civil War

            Class screening:  “Pan’s Labyrinth”

            Viewing assignment: “The Last Circus”

            Reading assignment: “Spain After Franco” – p. 596

Luis Bunuel – p.432

Week 5

            Lecture subject:  The Japanese Samurai Film

            Class screening: “The Seven Samurai”

            Viewing assignment: “13 Assassins”

            Reading assignment: “”Classical Cinema in Japan” – p.413

“The Modernization of Japanese Film” – p.714

Akira Kurosawa – p. 716

Kenji Mizoguchi – p.418

Yasujira Ozu – p. 420

Nagisa Oshima – p. 718

Week 6

            Lecture subject:  Modern Russian Film

            Class screening: “Russian Ark”

            Viewing assignment: “The Island”

            Reading assignment: “Russia After the Thaw” – p. 640

Andrei Tarkovsky – p. 646

Dziga Vertov – p. 92

Sergi Eisenstein – p. 168

Alexander Dozhenko – p. 394

 Week 7

            Review for exam

            Lecture subject: Scandinavian Horror

            Class screening: “Rare Exports”

            Viewing assignment:  “Let the Right One In”

            Reading assignment: “The Fantastic” – p. 312

Ingmar Bergman – p. 572

Carl Theodor Dreyer – p. 102

Victor Sjostrom – p. 156

Greta Garbo – p. 190

Week 8 – Final Exam

            Research Paper Due

            Lecture subject:  Hong Kong Movies

            Class screening: “Kung Fu Hustle”

            Viewing assignment: “In the Mood for Love”

            Reading assignment: “China After the Revolution” – p. 693

“Popular Cinema in Hong Kong” – p. 704

Zhang Yimou – p. 702