City Lit at the BFI: New French Extremity
Please note that some of the films studied on this course contain explicit sexual content and depict graphic violence. While care will be taken in the presentation of sequences from these films and in the discussions around them, please be aware that some of the material will be challenging and difficult.
This course has now started
Course Code: HF310
Duration: 4 sessions (over 4 weeks)
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What is the course about?
This course will explore a recent phenomenon in French cinema, which has become known as ‘New French Extremity’. Arguably, the continuation of a tradition of artistic dissent in French culture, evident in literature, fine art and film, this moment in film history spans the 1990s through to the late 2000s, although certain more recent films have been associated with it too. The course will enable you to engage in some of the key debates that have emerged around the ‘New French Extremism’, such as questions of obscenity, issues in relation to the representation of both sex and violence, and the exploration of female desire in cinema.
The course accompanies a season of classic films from this period at the BFI Southbank, ranging from an early example, C’est arrivé pres de chez vous/Man Bites Dog (Remy Belvaux, Andre Bonzel and Benoit Poelvoorde 1992 Belgium), to more recent films, such as Marina de Van’s Dans ma peau/In my Skin (2002 France).
What will we cover?
The course will consider the historical, cultural, social and political context for the ‘New French Extremity’ by looking at relevant antecedents in literature, art and cinema. It will explore a number of specific films in detail. These will include: C’est arrivé pres de chez vous/Man Bites Dog (Remy Belvaux, Andre Bonzel and Benoit Poelvoorde 1992 Belgium), Romance (Catherine Breillat 1999 France), Irréversible (Gaspar Noé 2002 France) and Dans ma Peau/In my Skin (Marina de Van 2002 France). Reference will also be made to other films screened as part of the BFI’s ‘New French Extremity’ season.
What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...
• Recognise and understand cinematic features associated with the ‘New French Extremism’
• Be in a position to situate the ‘New French Extremism’ within a French historical, social, political and cultural context
• Be able to articulate some of the key debates that have emerged around the ‘New French Extremism’, such as questions of obscenity, issues in relation to the representation of both sex and violence, and the exploration of female desire in cinema.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
The course does not presuppose any film knowledge and is open to anyone with an interest in French cinema and film studies more generally. Please note that some of the films studied on this course contain explicit sexual content and depict graphic violence. While care will be taken in the presentation of sequences from these films and in the discussions around them, please be aware that some of the material will be challenging and difficult.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
The course will be taught in the Studio at the BFI Southbank. It will involve an informal lecture using PowerPoint slides as well as the screening of clips from films studied on the course. There will be regular opportunities for class discussion. Work outside of the class is not required; however, you are encouraged to attend the screenings associated with the course as part of the BFI’s ‘New French Extremity’ season, running throughout the duration of the course.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
You should bring a device or a pen and paper to take notes, if you wish to. All clips from films shown during the class will be provided by the tutor.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
City Lit offers a range of film courses, covering many genres, periods and nations. Please consult the website for forthcoming courses: https://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/history-culture-and-writing/film-studies/film-studies.
Dr. Paul Sutton is an independent film scholar who has taught Film Studies in UK higher education for over 25 years. His research covers psychoanalytic and film theory as well as Italian and French cinema and critical theory. He has published articles in journals such as Screen, French Studies and the Journal for Cultural Research. He is currently writing a psychoanalytic book on film spectatorship, Afterwardsness in Film, and has recently published work on television as a form of palliative care, and an assessment of the films of the Italian experimental filmmaker Ugo Nespolo.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.