Cultureplex Ciné-Club: The Films of David Cronenberg
Over six weeks, this Ciné Club will dive into the singular, unsettling world of David Cronenberg - one of modern cinema’s most provocative and visionary directors.
We will explore Cronenberg’s evolution from early body horror classics to his later psychological thrillers, questioning what his work reveals about human nature and our ever-evolving relationship with the body, technology and culture.
Each session will feature a screening of a key film from his filmography, followed by an in-depth discussion examining its central themes, cinematic techniques, cultural and cinematic impact. From the merging of flesh and technoscientific apparatus, to the themes of obsession and transgression, we will see how Cronenberg’s cinema helps us explore the complexities and obscurities of modern life.
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Learning modes and locations may be different depending on the course start date. Please check the location of your chosen course and read our guide to learning modes and locations to help you choose the right course for you.
- Start Date: 16 Sep 2025End Date: 21 Oct 2025Tue (Evening): 18:00 - 21:00In PersonFull fee £239.00 Senior fee £239.00 Concession £155.00
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What is the course about?
This Ciné Club will give students a chance to dive into the filmography of one of cinemas most unique and powerful visionaries: David Cronenberg. Known for his fusion of body horror, psychological depth, and philosophical inquiry, Cronenberg has had a singular impact upon contemporary cinema. His films challenge conventional notions of identity, technology, and transformation and have been immensely influential both within and beyond film.
As well as exploring the influences upon Cronenberg, we will also think about the cultural contexts to which his cinematic work is addressed: body modification, identity, morality and desire in complex technoscientific worlds.
Possible film selections include:
Videodrome (1983)
The Fly (1986)
Dead Ringers (1988)
Crash (1996)
Existenz (1999)
A History of Violence (2005)
Crimes of the Future (2022)
Whether you're a longtime Cronenberg fan or new to his work, this course offers a chance to engage deeply with his films, share interpretations, and gain fresh insights into one of the most unique directors in cinematic history.
Image credit: Alan Langford, CC BY-SA 3.0
What will we cover?
Each week we will look at some of Cronenberg’s key influences and the contexts into which his films intervene. Each film will also open up discussion on broader issues and themes across contemporary culture, including the body as it is transformed by technologies, identity and desire in complex “naturecultural” environments, and the uncanny as an aesthetic technique that allows us to reflect on dark underbelly of subjectivity and social life.
We will also track the development of his unique and extraordinary aesthetic across his oeuvre.
What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...
By the end of this course, you should be able to:
• Subject a film to detailed critical analysis
• Demonstrate familiarity with the filmography of David Cronenberg.
Demonstrate familiarity with key technical terms necessary for critical film analysis
• Have a broad awareness of important cultural contexts into which Cronenberg’s films intervene.
• Feel confident in discussing films in a group setting.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
The course is suitable for all levels and you do not require any particular skills - just an enthusiasm for film and discussing film. The course will provide an introduction to aspects of the film subject area, in part through the collective viewing of films, but it will also be useful for those wishing to build on existing film knowledge.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
An introduction by the tutor, the screening of entire films, and large group discussions after the films have been shown. It might also be a good idea to see what you can find out about a given film in advance of the class but this is not essential.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
There are no further costs. Please bring a pen and notebook or device for making notes. The tutor will provide the film to be screened and will screen selected film clips.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
Please look for other courses on our website:
https://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/history-culture-and-writing/film-studies
Dr. Katie Goss is an independent scholar, writer and artist whose research covers contemporary literature, culture and thought, queer-feminist theory and philosophy, psychoanalysis, trans* studies, posthumanism, and the environmental and medical humanities. They have taught for a number of years in the School of English and Drama at Queen Mary, University of London and their work has been published or is forthcoming in journals including Transgender Studies Quarterly and Film-Philosophy and edited collections like The Edinburgh Companion to Queer Reading and The Queer Feminist Decolonial Ecologies Dossier (LADA 2020). They are currently working on the publication of their PhD research which explores the ‘plasticity’ or bio-material transformability of contemporary embodiment through womxn’s writing and film.
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.