Module description
European filmmaking in the twenty-first century is vibrant: from established directors such as Lars von Trier and Michael Haneke to "new waves" in Greece and Romania, contemporary European cinema is a fertile area for study. But what is "European cinema"? Frequently defined in opposition to Hollywood, the term is stereotypically used as a shortcut for ideas of art and cultural quality. But although art cinema remains important, popular genres like horror and comedy are increasingly garnering international attention. Moreover, European cinema is in conversation with world cinema, taking part in the major aesthetic trends that are redefining twenty-first century film. Meanwhile, Europe itself has undergone massive social and political changes since the 1990s: the integration of East and West Europe after the Cold War, the rapid expansion of the EU, and debates around multiculturalism have radically transformed conventional ideas of what Europe could or should be. Is there such a thing as a European cinematic identity? And if so, how is it changing? This module will examine the cultural and historical contexts that underlie new European cinema while paying close attention to its significant forms, styles, and genres. Topics will include Nordic horror, French extreme cinema, the figure of the migrant, slow cinema and transnational style.
Assessment details
- Participation by entering discussion questions through KEATS (10%)
- Online Test 24 hour window (30%)
- Essay 2000 words (60%)
Educational aims & objectives
European filmmaking in the twenty - first century is vibrant: from established directors such as Lars von Trier and Michael Haneke to 'new waves' in Greece and Romania, contemporary European cinema is a fertile area for study. But what is 'European cinema'? Frequently defined in opposition to Hollywood, the term is stereotypically used as a shortcut for ideas of art and cultural quality. But although art cinema remains important, popular genres like horror and comedy are increasingly garnering international attention. Moreover, European cinema is in conversation with world cinema, taking part in the major aesthetic trends that are redefining twenty - first century film. Meanwhile, Europe itself has undergone massive social and political changes since the 1990s: the integration of East and West Europe after the Cold War, the rapid expansion of the EU, and debates around multiculturalism have radically transformed conventional ideas of what Europe could or should be. Is there such a thing as a European cinematic identity? And if so, how is it changing? This module will examine the cultural and historical contexts that underlie new European cinema while paying close attention to its significant forms, styles, and genres. Topics will include Nordic horror, French extreme cinema, the figure of the migrant, slow cinema and transnational style.
Learning outcomes
By the end of the module, students will be able to demonstrate intellectual, transferable and practicable skills appropriate to a Level 5 module and in particular will be able to: 1. Identify key features of contemporary European cinema and have detailed knowledge of its cultural, historical and aesthetic contexts. 2. Deploy a range of conceptual models for thinking about European cinema in relation to national, regional and world cinemas. 3. Compare and contrast examples of recent European cinema, analysing their formal and aesthetic qualities in relation to a broad range of national contexts. 4. Synthesise and evaluate the relationships between aesthetic trends and geopolitical conditions in European cinema. 5. Situate twenty - first century texts within longer histories of European cinema, and in relation to debates in national cinema and world cinema. 6. Effectively discuss, examine, and respond to debates on European cinema in oral and written work individually and collectively. 7. Begin to develop autonomous research strategies in order to plan, draft, author and complete the module assessment.