COMM 558 - Topics in Film: Brazilian Film

This is an interdisciplinary and cross-cultural course where we will emphasize the socio-economic and political issues that gave rise to specific movements - Third Cinema, Cinema Novo and New Brazilian Cinema and travels through a more recent contemporary cinema. This course is designed to introduce the students to the cinematic work of a number of Brazilian film artists, and to develop a more detailed and creative reception of each film. By studying Brazilian cinema, students will learn about cinematic traditions and cultural realities significantly different from their own. They will acquire knowledge of the social, cultural and political issues that have shaped these traditions, as well as develop a deeper understanding of the aesthetic forms and film theories that have defined this cinema both in the past and in the present. Students will also become familiar with important approaches to studying film, for example the idea of national cinemas and cinema of resistance.

Course credits: 4