107-132 Introduction to Hollywood & Art Cinema

This subject introduces students to a study of three interrelated areas that are essential for an understanding of the cinema: film language, history and theory. The subject will commence with early silent cinema and progress to the key topics of editing, sound, censorship, mise en scene, narrative, cinematography and the Hollywood studio system. Cinematic movements studied will include Russian formalism, art-house cinema, surrealism, German expressionism, Italian neo-realism, French New Wave, the avant-garde and the American New Wave of the sixties and seventies.

• be skilled in critical thinking and analysis;

• possess effective written communication skills;

• have an understanding of social, ethical and cultural context.

A quiz of 1000 words 20% (due during semester), a visual test of 1000 words 30% (due at the end of semester), an essay of 2000 words 40% (due at the end of semester) and a class paper and participation 10%.

A subject reader will be available.

• D Bordwell and K Thompson, Film Art: An Introduction. McGraw-Hill, 1993.