Film Theory and Analysis Lesson 12

Film Theory and Analysis Manu Scansani Office Hours: (Room 1#511) Monday 11.45/12.45; Wednesday 16.00/17.00 QQ: Niko Brauer Office Hours: (Room 1#519) Thursday 12.30/14.00 QQ:

Film Screening (next week) Horror Films – Monday 17.30/20 The Shining [ 闪 灵 ] (S Kubrick, 1980, 142 min) (Cinema) Film Corner – Monday (3 ♯ 102-1/102-2)

This Week Essay... and Exam! War Films: Why do we watch films that will make us feel bad?

Essay! Congratulations – most of you have handed in your essay! If you have not done so yet – you will already have lost many marks. Hand it in – or you will get a zero! Your essay will be returned to you with your grade before exams start.

Final Exam The final exam will cover material from the textbook and the films you have seen. As long as you have read the textbook, paid attention in class and watched the compulsory film each week, you will have no problems on the exam. Textbook topics we will not cover: Critical Perspectives (Unit 5) and Romance Film (Unit 11)

Final Exam Remember that your final exam is 40 percent of your final grade. If you do well in your essay, you must also do well in your final exam If you do badly in the essay, it is even more important to do well in the exam The exam is theoretical – learn the theory and watch the films!!

Films For the exam, you must have seen the following films: The Matrix [ 黑客帝国 ] (A&L Wachowski, 1999, 136 min) Forrest Gump [ 阿甘正 传 ] (R Zemeckis, 1994, 142 mins) American Beauty [ 美国 丽 人 ] (S Mendes, 1999, 122 min) The Bond Films [007 詹姆斯 庞 德 ] Se7en [ 七宗罪 ] (D Fincher, 1995, 127 min) The Godfather [ 教父 ] (FF Coppola, 1972, 175 min) Apocalypse Now [ 现 代启示 录 ] (FF Coppola, 1979, 153 min) The Shining [ 闪 灵 ] (S Kubrick, 1980, 142 min) [next Monday] 2001: A Space Odyssey [2001 太空漫游 ] (S Kubrick, 1968, 141 min) [Monday, May 31]

Readings for next week Must make sure to have read by next week: [Theory] Unit 1: History & Genres Unit 2: Character and Performance Unit 3: Narrative Unit 4: Style [Genres] Unit 6: Blockbuster Films Unit 7: Comedies Unit 8: Social Drama Film Unit 9: Action Film Unit 10: Neo-noir Film Unit 12: Gangster Film Unit 13: War Film

War Films Films about current, recent or historical military conflicts Popular subjects: Vietnam War, World War II, War on Terror / Iraq / Afghanistan War War films rarely provide a balanced assessment of either side and their opinions, although most try to be realistic / truthful. War films are the only type of films in which mass murder is acceptable

War Films Historically, Hollywood war films have been very positive and supportive of US military operations as a result of US Victory in the Second World War War films would portray heroes that are brave warriors doing their patriotic duty and sacrificing themselves for their country. As a result, filmmakers were able to use military equipment, personnel and information during filming and production Clip: The Green Berets, Trailer

War Films During the Vietnam War, public opinion about the war turned negative, and war films started to be more critical Today, few, if any, American war films are glorifications of military conflicts. Critical war films about current conflicts, such as The Hurt Locker, can have a large influence on political decisions. Why do you think this is?

War Films: Narrative Modern war films often revolve around a male, isolated protagonist who works in a team on a specific mission. The film tells the character’s ongoing emotional development as he witnesses events of war and confronts challenges. Often, the resolution/denouement of war films features the protagonist’s critical reflection on the war and his own development.

War Films: Clips Green Beret: Trailer Apocalypse Now: Flight of the Valkyries [00:30:00, 20 mins] Full Metal Jacket: Sniper Attack [01:29:00, 25 mins] The Hurt Locker: Opening Sequence [Beginning]