VSA2670

Asian cinema

(ART)

David Hanan

6 points + 4 hours per week + Second semester + Clayton + Prerequisite: One unit in Visual Culture or Comparative Literature and Cultural Studies at first year level, or VSA2190, or with permission + Prohibition: VSA3670

Synopsis: This unit examines key epochs of cinema in Japan, China and the Indian subcontinent, including popular genres and art films. Students will be expected to concentrate on 2 of these 3 countries. The main Japanese directors whose work is explored are Kurosawa and Oshima and Mizoguchi. Contemporary Japanese cinema examined includes examples of Japanese 'anime'. The study of Chinese cinema include films made in the 1950s for the new communist regime in the PRC. Popular genres of Hong Kong cinema will be studied. The discussion of Indian cinema concentrates on the Indian alternative documentary movement.

Assessment: Essay (2700 words): 60% + Class presentation (450 words): 10% + Visual test (1 hour 20 minutes - equivalent to 1350 words): 30%