BA Film Studies and East Asian Studies / Course details

Since the Lumière brothers’ L’Arrivée du train en gare de La Ciotat in 1895, France has become home to one of the world’s most developed cinema industries. This course takes a historical look at some of the key French films and movements from the 1930s to 1980. The course will consist of a series of lectures and seminars examining a set of core films. It will include an analysis of some of the most prominent genres (thrillers, the musical) and of the two movements that have become emblematic of French cinematic specificity: le réalisme poétique (poetic realism) and la nouvelle vague (the new wave). The work of some of France’s key auteurs will be examined through case studies of some of their most influential work. Prominent themes and issues will be considered, including authorship, national identity, stardom, gender and class. 

• to familiarise students with film studies terminology in order to enable students to analyse and interpret film in depth
• to provide an overview of various periods, styles, themes and genres in French film history to 1980
• to provide students with key concepts of film theory
• to encourage and enable students to verbalise and intellectualise emotional responses to film viewing

A range of films will be studied, including (though not limited to):

Marcel Carné, Les Enfants du Paradis (1943-45)

Henri-Georges Clouzot, Les Diaboliques (1954)

Jean-Luc Godard, Le Mépris (1963)

Alain Resnais Hiroshima mon amour (1960)

Agnès Varda, Cléo de 5 à 7 (1962)

René Clément, Plein Soleil (1960)

Jacques Demy, Les Demoiselles de Rochefort (1967)

 A range of lecture and seminar-based activities. Students will be required to watch the set films, complete the set reading and participate in student-led seminar activities.

Medium of language:  English (all films will be in French but with English subtitles)

• show familiarity with film studies terminology
• demonstrate an understanding of the various periods, styles, themes and genres in French film history to 1980
• show a sophisticated grasp of the thematic preoccupations of cinema in France during a crucial period of accelerated modernisation
• demonstrate a knowledge of the key issues that influence the production of films
• show awareness of the political, social, cultural and economic concerns that surrounded filmmaking in France until 1980 

• demonstrate an ability to undertake individual and group research
• show a capacity to think critically about visual texts and the secondary written material about them
• demonstrate a grasp of complex theoretical and philosophical ideas and concepts
• comment confidently upon the impact of film style on themes, issues and ideas

• demonstrate literacy in analysing visual culture, with specific attention to films
• be assured in giving verbal expression to intellectual responses to film viewing
• express critical ideas coherently in structured essays
• engage effectively in group discussions

• structure discussions and essays
• engage in detailed analysis and express that critical analysis clearly
• work effectively both individually and as part of a team
• show confidence in expressing views, opinions and ideas orally in groups

RE-SIT ASSESSMENT

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  Feedback method	Formative or Summative
  Oral feedback on seminar activities	Formative
  Written feedback on essay plan	Formative
  Additional one-to-one feedback during office hour by appointment	Formative
  Written feedback on exam	Summative

Buss, Robin, French Film Noir (London and St Paul: Marion Boyers, 1994) 791.4 /B334

Marie, Michel, The New Wave : an Artistic School (Oxford and Malden: Blackwells, 2003)

Neupert, Richard (2002) A History of the French New Wave

Cinema, Madison, University of Wisconsin Press, 2^nd Edition.

Powrie, Phil and Reader, Keith, French Cinema: a Student’s Guide, (London: Arnold, 2002) 791.4644/P5

Powrie, Phil (Ed.), The Cinema of France (London: Wallflower, 2007).

Vincendeau, Ginette, Stars and Stardom in French Cinema, (London: Continuum, 2000) 791.4644/V1