Course Description: Each week this course will explore an acclaimed work of an influential director from a different country. We will put each film into its historical, cultural, and artistic context in order to facilitate critical discussion. Although emphasis will be on thematic readings of the films for meaning, elements such as formal and technical aspects, as well as genre and style will also be examined.
Notes and Comments: Registration will begin August 11, 2008. Films will include, “The Bicycle Thieves,” “The 400 Blows,” “Ballad of a Soldier,” “Woman in the Dunes,” “Wings of Desire,” “Raise the Red Lantern,” and “All About My Mother.” Students will be asked to see each film independently before each class; they will be available at the U.Va. library (group viewings may be arranged), from Netflix, and other local sources.
