116-041 French Cinema Since the New Wave

116-007 French I: Cultural Perspectives and 116-008 French I: Language in Context II or equivalent. European studies students wishing to enrol in this subject would normally have completed first year European studies, see Prerequisites.

This subject explores the New Wave in its social context; 'auteur' theory; cinematographic language; representations of social change; representations of an historical obsession (WWII); the postmodern French thriller ('polar'). On completion of the subject students should demonstrate familiarity with the practices and theoretical concerns of New Wave and post-New Wave film-makers in France; be able to analyse the social and cultural processes represented in selected films from the period studied; demonstrate an awareness of postmodern film criticism. The subject will be taught in French.