Description
This SDG examines eleven exceptional films made by women filmmakers around the world that offer a variety of themes: gender, class, race, globalization, the family, coming-of-age, religion, capitalism, and art. Genres include comedy, drama, horror, thriller, western, and documentary..
The directors, from seven countries and cultures, bring personal styles and insights to their work, and feature both male and female protagonists. One of the questions we'll ask is about the differences brought to their films by nationality and race. And what might a woman bring to films that a male filmmaker might miss? And does a woman necessarily brings a feminist or political vision to a film? Finally, is there "a female gaze?"
This is a Film Studies course with emphasis on film analysis. We are interested in how how the art of film--narrative, mise en scene, cinematography, music, sound, editing, acting, expresses each director's unique vision.
Participants should be very comfortable using computers and DVDs.
Weekly Topics
My Brilliant Career, Gillian Armstrong - Australia 1979
The Piano, Jane Campion - Australia 1993
The Holy Girl, Lucretia Martel - Argentina 2004
After the Wedding, Suzanne Bier - Denmark 2006
35 Shots of Rum, Clair Denis - France 2008
Winter's Bone, Debra Granek - United States 2010
A Girl Walks Home Alone At Night, Ana Lily Amirpour - Iran/United States 2014
Toni Erdmann, Maren Ade - Germany 2016
Certain Women, Kelly Reichardt - United States 2016
The Gleaners; Faces/Places, Agnes Varda - France 2000; 2017
The Rider, Chloe Zhao - United States 2017
Participants will choose their week and film in any order.
Bibliography
Core Book:
Louis Gannett, Understanding Movies, Prentice Hall. Buy a used edition, any edition.
All of the films are available on Netflix DVDs as well as other streaming channels. Reviews and articles on all the filmmakers and films can be found on the Internet.
An extended bibliography will be given to participants.
