MGR3330

Filming the nation: the recent past in European cinema

P Andronikos

8 points
* 2-3 hours per week
* First semester
* Clayton
* Prohibitions: CLS3520, EUR3520/EUR4520

Objectives Students will be expected to watch all of the prescribed films, and to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of their historical and cultural background; the major ideological and political developments in Europe between the wars and after World War Two; the relationship between cultural productions and socio-political realities; and the nature of cinematic narrative.

Synopsis Taking as its starting point films such as Theo Angelopoulos's The Travelling Players, Carlos Saura's Cousin Angelica and the Tavianis' Night of the Shooting Stars, this subject explores the way in which European directors responded to the challenge of presenting their nation's recent past in film, after World War Two and the various civil clashes between fascism and communism had made that past a problematic memory. The selection of films to be studied will include works by Bertolucci, Bu- uel, Saura, de Sica, and Voulgaris.

Assessment Seminar paper (1000 words): 15%
* Essay (2500 words): 45%
* Examination (2.5 hours): 40%.

Prescribed texts

Angelopoulos T Taxidi sta Kithira Aigokeros
Angelopoulos T O thiasos Themelio
Voulgaris P Petrina Chronia Aigokeros