Seven Samurai, impressive film

I thought the film was excellent. The scenes were done every so well. The waterfall and flower scenes were beautiful

Fanny and Alexander - trailer

Treasures from Moscow: Icons from the Andrey Rublev Museum

UPCOMING CLASS

I have enjoyed this class of International Cinema as much as any I've ever taught.  I would love to see many of you next term (PEL Spring II) for my class in Film Noir (listed as Film Genres).  We will be viewing many of the classics from the period of 1941 through 1958.  There will also be a few contemporary "neo-noirs."  Here are some of the titles we will be watching.  A poster is followed by a still from the film.

Chinatown

 Double Indemnity

The Maltese Falcon

Touch of Evil

Simón del desierto (final): carne radioactiva - thought this was a strange scene at the end of the movie.

Great pictures from the Seven Samaurai movie. Enjoyed the movie very much. I could not believe the way they would fight with the bandits coming at them full blast on horses and waiving the swords.

http://blog.ricecracker.net/2010/05/23/kurosawa-group/

What good was Simon's faith?

It seemed purposeless for Simon to be standing on top of the pillar. He could have prayed more discreetly on the mountains in the scenery behind him if he wanted to be up higher. He wanted Christ to come get him but it was Satan who kept showing up to tempt him instead. How ironic and disheartening for such a faithful man. I do not understand why his beard was parted the entire scene. Maybe it was a version of the red sea parting. The dancing at the end reminded me of Footloose or Dirty Dancing. Of course there would be dancing in hell! I think Simon’s life may have been more useful getting to know his mother and possibly finding a woman or a man if he so chooses, to enjoy life with. He could still pray while living life!

I am an official Jean-Luc Godard fan. I thoroughly enjoyed À bout de soufflè, Breathless. I have been riding the French New Wave with this film, along with Masculin Fèminin, Vivre sa Vie "My Life to Live", and Weekend. As a Director, Godard partnered nicely with Cinematographer, Raoul Coutard to deliver these films.

Breathless speaks for itself, engaging, visually appealing, has you drawn in to the characters Michel Poiccard aka Laszlo Kovacs and Patricia Franchini. I enjoyed the fashion of both Patricia and Michel, along with the buildup of their odd romance, and the beautiful scenes of Paris behind them. I felt like Godard was presenting Paris in a mysterious fashionable way, and yes with a little criminal activity to boot. But it was fun criminal activity that until the end Michel appeared to be very good at. That is until he fell helplessly in love with Patricia. Actually he did help himself and quite often. He was a smooth but rude gent. Rude when he called Patricia a coward. Ultimately she could not live the life he lives. So the message, to all you women out there, be good and you won't die. Godard didn't seem to mind a little sexuality badness. In fact he weaved it into most of his films (I think).

FINAL Thoughts: It was difficult though to see the countless cigarettes being smoked in all of Godard's films (former smoker). I almost choked out in the bathroom scene in Breathless. I am glad cinema has moved away from that practice. There is also the murderous tone of Breathless and Weekend; its satire quality makes it okay and daring in Breathless, not Weekend (that was a bit over the sexual and murderous top for me). If you get the chance to check out Weekend, it definately brings his film making to a new level. Lastly, I found it interesting in Masculin Feminin that in making the film he ”did not have a shooting script and instead relied on a hand written spiral notebook filled with ideas, sketches and dialogue written the night before” (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Masculin,_f%C3%A9minin).

Overall After watching several French films (mostly by Godard for me), you get a feel for the music, vivid imagery and dynamic presentation of character. Feel the wave!

This is a good site that gives a little overview of Godard and his films Breathless, Contempt, and Weekend.

http://www.carleton.edu/curricular/MEDA/classes/media110/Friesema/contempt.html

"It's sad to fall asleep. It separates people. Even when you're sleeping together, you're all alone."
-- Patricia Franchini in Breathless

The Wages of Fear (2/4) Movie CLIP - Lake of Oil (1953) HD

The Wages of Fear Movie Clip lake of oil

Kill Baby, Kill

I found this film very reminiscent of the Gothic horror films put out in the late 50s through early 70s that starred Christopher Lee and Peter Cushing. Stylistically, it seemed similar. However, the other elements tended to lend itself to a more B movie versus horror. But that could also be because of the stilted acting and wooden deliver. However, the colors and details definitely fit the film story.

Kill, Baby...Kill

I watched the  first half of this movie, watched the second half a few days later, then had to go back and watch the first half again for it to make more sense. Villa Graps made more sense when they mentioned it, and Baroness Graps and other characters' names I picked up on better after viewing a second time.  Also Monica's childhood made more sense too and why she came back to the town. I also noticed that the beginning of the film shows daytime outside in the village and it's bright.  But shortly after the daytime shots, the rest of the movie is dark like it's nighttime and all of the rooms are dark, dilapidated and cobwebby.  Then at the very end, Paul and Monica walk off into the sunset where it is brighter like it was in the beginning of the movie.  The majority of darkness everywhere seemed odd. I also was amazed at Dr. Paul's hair. It was both brown and black and perfectly styled throughout the whole movie.  He sort of reminded me of Roger Moore in James Bond.  Loved his outfit.  That was the longest rust-colored jacket ever.

Metropolis was my first silent film I watched.  It was a very long, elaborate film.  I noticed right off  how certain men in the film (namely the main male character) wear a lot of make-up.  I was surprised to see such a religious theme in the movie talked about and showed with the Tower of Babel.  Also the character of Maria who was such a good person and encouraged the workers to have hope and faith in a the coming of a Savior was an obvious and strong religious theme. I thought Maria was Jesus-like or she was telling the workers of the coming Savior of the actual Jesus.  I thought the seductive dance of the evil Maria was very racy for the time period with dance moves and wearing of just pasties for a top.  That whole scene was very dark and evil with the whole theme of the seven deadly sins.  That was a very evil and creepy scene.  But at the end good won over evil.  I was surprised that Hitler liked that movie and that gave me the creeps too.  I guess it gave the director Fritz Lang the creeps too that Hitler liked it so much and wanted him to direct movies for the Nazi party.  Lang divorced his wife and left in a complete hurry for America which was a smart move.

metroplis

I thought metroplis was good . Surprised to see that he gave so much just help the u fortunate people. The scenes were pretty basic but I guwss it was approprate for that time.

"Suspiria" (1977) - US Theatrical Trailer

http://www.youtube.com/v/7Q_o-iV_L2A?version=3&autohide=1&showinfo=1&autohide=1&autoplay=1&feature=share&attribution_tag=wFzHeSmMUOzM5kEZWamxzQ

Metropolis 1927. UNSILENCED. (Speech, Sound Design, Full Length, 2013, 2...

http://www.youtube.com/v/-ouQwGPw_S4?autohide=1&version=3&attribution_tag=Knts-1bmnJLW_wnYcDzoPQ&feature=share&autoplay=1&autohide=1&showinfo=1

Metropolis Influence  

Metropolis has been very influential from film to music video. There are two videos that actual directly derive from Metropolis. The most blatant examples are Madonna's Express Yourself video and Queen's Radio Ga Ga. Madonna's video was directed by David Fincher who was clearly influenced by Fritz Lang's vision:

 

Queen's Radio Ga Ga has portions of the video taken directly from Metropolis. The music producer Gorgio Moroder restored it in 1984 with modern music. Freddy Mercury was asked to participate. In exchange, Queen were granted the rights to use the movie in the video:

I watched "Rare Exports a Christmas Tale". Directed by Jalmari Helander. It was disturbing and I will leave it at that. I don't want to spoil it.It was in English and Sami for some reason. Filmed in Lapland.

I could not believe the attention to detail the movie Metropolis had throughout the movie.In the opening scene the workers are getting off the elevator and new workers are getting on, it looked as if everyone was the same exact size as they paraded on and off the elevator, albeit subdued into submission. Near the end it looked as if there was only one take as the set was destroyed as the film neared the end

METROPOLIS

Here is some poster artwork done for "Metropolis."  Also a couple of backstage shots: one of Brigitte Helm being rehearsed by director Fritz Lang (seated) for her seduction dance and one of her in the robotrix suit being cooled off between takes.

SYLLABUS - PEL - FALL 2 - 2013

 INTERNATIONAL CINEMA

PEL Fall 2 – 2013

Instructor: Tom Hammond

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

Office hours: before and after class or by appointment

Classroom:  TBA – We will watch some films in Miller Auditorium.  Our regular classroom will be FT210 or FT211.  Be sure to show up at the classroom for the first session.

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).  This book is available on Amazon used at a much reduced rate.

Netflix Subscription:  You will be required to view some films outside of class.  All of these assignments will be streamable on Netflix or Hulu.  Monthly subscriptions are about $8 each.  The first month on Netflix is free and Hulu has an introductory offer.

Course Requirements: Three papers, random quizzes, a final exam, blog postings, quizzes, attendance and participation.  A film journal may be submitted for extra credit.

Grade Distribution:

Papers (3) -                30%

Blog Postings -           10%

Exam -                                   30%

Quizzes -                     10%

Att. & Part. -               20%

Film Journal -             (+10%)

Essay:  You will write three papers (4-5 pages each) on subjects TBA.  A rubric will be handed out for each assignment.

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.

Exam – There will be a final exam on the last day of class.  A review will be conducted the week before.

Quizzes – Random quizzes will gauge your adherence to the home viewing assignments.  No make-ups.

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

            Class screening: “Faust”

            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 Horror

            Class screening: “Susperia”

            Viewing assignment: “Kill Baby Kill”

            Reading assignment: “The Fantastic” – p.312

Roberto Rossellini – p. 438

Vittorio De Sica – p. 360

Federico Fellini – p. 587

Luchino Visconti – p. 440

 Week 3

            1^st paper due   

            Lecture subject:  The French New Wave

            Class screening: “The Wages of Fear”

            Viewing assignment: “Breathless”

            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

            Lecture subject: Luis Bunuel & Surrealism

            Class screening:  “The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie”

            Viewing assignment: “The Exterminating Angel” & “Simon of the Desert”

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

Luis Bunuel – p.432

Week 5

            Lecture subject:  Japanese Film

            Class screening: “Ugetsu”

            Viewing assignment: “Seven Samurai”

            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

            2^nd paper due

            Lecture subject:  Andrei Tarkovsky & The Soviet State

            Class screening: “Stalker”

            Viewing assignment: “Andrei Rubelev”

            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 Film

            Class screening: “The Passion of Joan of Arc”

            Viewing assignment: “Fanny & Alexander” (theatrical version)

            Reading assignment:

Ingmar Bergman – p. 572

Carl Theodor Dreyer – p. 102

Victor Sjostrom – p. 156

Greta Garbo – p. 190

Week 8 – Final Exam

            3rd paper due

            Lecture subject:  Hong Kong Movies

            Class screening: “The Killer”