UTS 54081 Global Cinema Course Description

This subject focuses on major developments in global cinema, with an emphasis on several in-depth films that allow students to think critically and creatively about the world they live in. As the course title suggests, the films discussed are from a variety of countries and cultural backgrounds. By examining and discussing these films, students will come to consider the role that film plays in fostering an ethically conscious mode of engagement and question the status quo.

The major themes, production methods, and cultural circumstances that influence modern international cinemas are examined in Global Cinema. Students gain knowledge of various national and local film traditions, build critical vocabularies for comprehending and interpreting cinematic storytelling techniques, and think about how cinema may address social injustices and inequities. The course encourages students to investigate a variety of filmmaking styles, including independent and experimental filmmaking, multilingual and diasporic cinemas, high-budget national cinemas, films by Indigenous communities and filmmakers, and documentaries (among others). Students are given the chance to concentrate on particular aspects of the art of making movies throughout the course, including story, genre, and characters; cinematography, editing, lighting, sound, and production design; and the business settings of production, release, and reception.

 

Teaching and learning strategies

 

Case studies are chosen from a variety of geographical locations, and the subject material is organized around major concepts and topics in the cultural analysis of global cinema. The featured movie for each week's close reading is chosen for its innovative forms (such as neo-realism, film noir, or experimental theatres), it’s potential to spur social or political change (such as protest cinema), or its historical ties to an influential film movement or genre (e.g. Bollywood). Through UTS library streaming services, movies are made available online (e.g. EduTV, Kanopy). The required subject readings present key ideas for analyzing cultural meanings as well as broad settings for film analysis, production, and consumption. Many areas are investigated, including but not limited to: South Asia, Australasia, and the Pacific Islands

Handbook official website link

https://handbook.uts.edu.au/subjects/54081.html

 

54081 Global Cinema Lectures Analysis

Because this is a discussion of contemporary cinema, the content of the class will change considerably from year to year and even from semester to semester. However, the format of the assignments will not change much.

 

Week 1 Introduction

Week 2 Middle Eastern cinema

Week 3 East Asian cinema: Japan, Korea, and North Korea.

Week 4 South Asia. India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka

Week 5 Southeast Asia

Week 6 North America

Week 7 Pacific Islands

Week 8 Australian Aboriginal films

Week 9 UK

Week 10 Europe: Stories of Migration

Week 11 Latin and South America

Week 12 African Cinema

 

54081 Global Cinema Assignment Analysis

Assessment task 1: Film Analysis

Using the theories/concepts from the thematic readings and a film from Weeks 2-4, demonstrate how a particular country/region/culture is represented through film. You must focus on film elements such as scenes, sound/music, and performances.

Note that the main film to be analyzed needs to be from the Required reading or Extended reading in class, and if you choose another film, you need to check with the tutor first.

 

Assessment task 2: Indigenous Filmmaker Profile

Write a profile of an Indigenous Australian filmmaker and discuss the types of Indigenous Australian people represented in his or her films.

This assignment focuses on Australian Aboriginality, Australian Aboriginal culture, and film, so you will not go wrong if you choose a representative TOPIC.

 

Assessment task 3: Critical Engagement with Film Concepts

Five short analyses of film study concepts and ideas that relate to set films, lectures, and required readings. Each essay should be no more than 400 words in length.

 

OPTION 1 | RESEARCH ESSAY and OPTION 2 | METRO MAGAZINE COMMENTARY will generally be available. OPTION 1 is relatively smaller and more secure, while OPTION 2 is more likely to score high if you take the effort to do it. If you choose OPTION 1, note that the reading can only come from what is mentioned in the later weeks of class.

Writing | Articles | Speeches | Research | Case Studies | Analysis | Forms | Reports | Assessments | Tests | Exams | Polishing | Tutoring |