When one enrolls in a film class one thinks of a practical and hands on module, a lot of subjectivity and the absence of any “wrong” answers. This however is not the case with my module, something i am grateful for I might add. This semester I have one actual sit-down exam, film class oddly enough, something that makes it a very positive situation when it is coupled with my love and excitement for the module all year so far. So how does one revise for a film test? They watch the films on the module list…repeatedly!!! Now where’s the downside to this? Are the films in question 3 hour avant-garde pieces devoid of anything considered by most to be “watchable”? Oh no, the films in question are some of the greatest films the world has ever seen. Pulp Fiction, Aliens, Psycho among many others. I am literally in a dream land with this module, to me this will be as close to studying as sitting down and doing a marathon of any other films or tv series out there! Through this module I have learnt to bring a critical eye to my film-viewing where several aspects of the film that weren’t always clear have become obvious to me. As my time writing about this class comes to a close I can do nothing but reflect with great joy over the several effects the class has had on me, however that will have to wait until my next post 🙂
Renaming My Film Class “Star Wars 101”
It’s been a few weeks now since I began studying film and it’s already my favourite module so far in my college time. One thing I’ve noticed however which has both made me laugh and given me a sense of appreciation is the recurring reference my lecturer makes to Star Wars in his lectures. It seems like every class he is able to draw whatever we are studying back to a classic scene from one of the three Star Wars films released a few decades ago. Don’t get me wrong though I love Star Wars I think they’re fantastic films and encompass everything important about cinema, great cinematography, soundtrack, acting….everything!! It’s almost funny every time he inevitably mentions the films and for me it adds a sense of familiarity to the class and everything we study in it. I do on the other hand know people who hate Star Wars, something which (I’ll be honest) makes it all even more funny to me!! It’s an unorthodox way to teach film I know but personally I enjoy seeing clips of films that resonated with me so much in my childhood. It is aswell a testament to the films in question and their enduring and definitive place in film history! There’s no shame in it!
This Week in Film Class & How Ambiguous Is Too Ambiguous?
Another week, another arty film screening on a Monday. This week saw us watching “Last Year at Marienbad”, a film sold to us with the “simple” premise of “The story of a man and woman, who may or may not have met last year, as well as another man who may or may not be the woman’s husband”. Now I’m all for ambiguity in films, I love when something is thrown into the mix that makes you question what you saw and lets you come to your own conclusion. However, this film (A French classic from 1961) took my entire preconceived notion about what ambiguity was an turned it on its head. This film took place in a series of flash-backs, flash-forwards and flash-anywhere-else-the-movie-saw-fit. Half the class walked out throughout the course of the screening and to be honest it would have to be towards the top of my most difficult to watch films. This being said I did enjoy it thoroughly, purely because it was like nothing I had ever seen before, and what better reason to study film than to be introduced to crazy, off-the-wall works of avant-garde cinema. I sat there for the full two hours thinking “How ambiguous is too ambiguous?” and to be honest I don’t think the film did anything wrong, I believe within the confines of mainstream films there is a level of ambiguity which is considered to be normal but it’s good to know there is some ridiculously inventive and insane movies out there, they aren’t forced on you but are there to view at your own leisure. Another great and interesting week in film class overall!! 🙂
Another Week In Film Class!
This week in my class “How To Read A Film” I was once again enthralled by the knowledge and perspective given to me through my learning. This week the focus was on sound in film, encompassing everything from the music, natural noise and speech. As a longtime musician I was instantly drawn in to this topic and the first shot of film we were shown (the opening scene from “The Shining”) only increased my level of engagement. It seems like Stanley Kubrick is becoming a running theme in this blog but I can assure you it’s completely unintentional! For the first half of the lecture we were learning about key terms in the study of sound in film such as counterpoint, parallelism and diagetic, words I had heard of before but never fully understood until then. I am finding that the terminology I am picking up is sticking with me and I am beginning to assess every film or piece of film I see with a critical eye.
The class culminated with a viewing of the film “The Battle of Algiers” a film I had heard of by reputation but had never watched before. To anyone who happens to be reading this post I would strongly urge you to take two hours out of your schedule if possible and watch this film. It is of course slightly dated (having been made in 1966) but offers a unique and quite genuine perspective on life in Algeria at a time of massive political upheaval. Many of the actual participants in the war ended up having parts in the film, something that added so much to the realism shown. Overall I must say I still have nothing negative to say about my experience studying film, and in the unlikely event that I have any regular readers I warn you to expect to hear many more positive reactions about this module.
Studying Film & How College Has Changed The Way I Think
If there’s one thing I’ve learnt in the last year is that the most important and relevant word to me in the English language right now is “context”. I have recently spent 5 months studying in glorious Amsterdam, something that not only had a hand in me finding my true work ethic but it also allowed me the opportunity to study film for the first time. Now I’ve always been something of a film-buff and my passion for cinema is only rivaled by my passion for music and sport. Studying film thoroughly and really delving into the history and circumstances surrounding the production and distribution of these films made me realize I have a deep love for understanding context in relation to anything in the areas I’m passionate about whether that be what was deemed politically correct in the UK when David Bowie challenged the status quo in the 1970’s or how the world reacted when Stanley Kubrick’s “A Clockwork Orange” first screened, with all of its gratuitous, well, everything!
I’ve always wanted to be a journalist you see but until recently there was a piece in the puzzle lacking, something that stopped me from throwing myself wholeheartedly into pursuing that dream. It was as if there was a missing link in the chain or two islands without a bridge to connect them or whatever other metaphor fits that purpose. Once I gained this drive and passion it began to leak over to my other subjects, causing me to gain and maintain a love for learning about them as well. I do realize this may seem obvious to some who read this but for myself anyway the ripple of this realization is something I feel and embrace everyday. Basically I’ve learnt to see the bigger picture and I am so grateful for that.
cilliannmae 