Film Moments 3

What is the course about?

The film historian Tom Gunning has suggested that ‘movies are made up of moments, which both accumulate to an end and, in a sense, scatter across our memories. If we think of a movie as something which moves continuously, following the actions of characters and the trajectory of a story, then moments might seem to mark the points along the way. But if we dwell on the sense of a moment in its singularity, it seems less to evoke the momentum of a plot than something that falls outside the story and its pace’ (2019). Such an account privileges the experience of a powerful ‘moment’ in the viewing of a film, but it also points to the importance of memory for cinema, not only in terms of what one might think of as our ‘film’ memory, our cinematic image bank, but also its importance in potentially activating our own personal memories.

Thinking along similar lines about the these ‘subjective, fleeting, variable’ moments the film scholar Christian Keathley has talked in some depth about what he calls the ‘cinephiliac moment’ while Paul Sutton has explored the idea of ‘afterwardsness’ in film to give expression to the powerful and often lingering effect of these evanescent film moments. Akin to the Proustian ‘madeleine’, the film moment is an encounter that provokes reminiscence that might be both personal and collective, cinematic and historic. In exploring the idea of the cinematic moment in relation to a specific film we will also discuss your own film moments and their meaning and emotional resonance for you.

What will we cover?

• Film spectatorship, understood in both personal, historical and theoretical terms
• Evidence of cinematic self-expression through the articulation of a distinct visual style
• The idea of the film moment as expressed through instances from individual, indicative films
• The relationship between film form and cinematic expression in terms of narrative, affect (or emotion) and interpretation.

What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...

• Subject a film moment or excerpt to detailed critical analysis
• Demonstrate some familiarity with the key technical terms necessary for critical film analysis
• Begin to recognise a number of theoretical perspectives in film studies
• 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 consider the spectator’s relationship with film, in part through the collective viewing of film clips, 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?

Tutor presentation, the screening of film clips, and small and large group discussion.

Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?

You will require a pen and paper (or laptop/device) but the tutor will provide all other materials such as handouts.

When I've finished, what course can I do next?

Please look also for other Film Studies courses under History Culture and Writing/Film Studies at www.citylit.ac.uk.