Masters of cinema: love, marriage and betrayal

What is the course about?

This online film studies course explores themes of love, marriage and betrayal in the films of some of cinema’s greatest directors. Over ten sessions, we will explore the careers of ten masters of cinema – from the canonical (Ozu, Bergman, Rossellini, Godard, Varda) to the contemporary (Ade, Baumbach, Kiarostami). It considers questions of artistic influence and technical innovation, and shows how all of the filmmakers featured have used the medium of cinema not only as a means of personal expression but as a way to take cinema in new directions.

This is a live online course. You will need:
- Internet connection. The classes work best with Chrome.
- A computer with microphone and camera is best (e.g. a PC/laptop/iMac/MacBook), or a tablet/iPad/smart phone/iPhone if you don't have a computer.
- Earphones/headphones/speakers.
We will contact you with joining instructions before your course starts.

What will we cover?

Directors to be explored may include:
- Yasujiro Ozu
- Roberto Rossellini
- Jean-Luc Godard
- Agnes Varda
- Nicolas Roeg
- Ingmar Bergman
- John Huston
- Noah Baumbach
- Maren Ade
- Abbas Kiarostami
Other topics:
- Framing (Ozu, Bergman)
- Editing (Roeg)
- Literary adaptation (Godard, Huston, Roeg)
- Acting (Bergman, Kiarostami, Baumbach).

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

- Demonstrate a broad knowledge and understanding of some of cinema’s most innovative filmmakers.
- Place the filmmakers within the context of film history and their respective national cinemas.
- Identify the myriad connections and influences – aesthetic, thematic – in the films of all the directors featured.
- Understand how filmmakers such as Jean-Luc Godard, Nic Roeg, and John Huston work with established literary texts to make “personal” films.
- Track the evolvement of acting / performance in cinema across five decades – from the 1950s to the present day.

What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?

The course is open to anyone with an interest in film history and for those who enjoy discussing films and listening to the views of others.

How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?

The course will be delivered in 1 hour & 45 minute sessions over ten weeks.
Each class will feature an introduction or short lecture, Power Point slides, film clips and interactive class discussion.
There will be weekly recommendations for further watching or reading around the subject for those that are interested.
There is no work outside of class except for some related reading / film viewing.

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

There are no other costs. Bring a pen and paper or tablet / device for note taking.
Links to recommended reading and viewing will be provided.
Films to include: Tokyo Story (1953), Journey to Italy (1954), Le Mepris / Contempt (1963) Don’t Look Now (1973), Scenes From A Marriage (1974), The Dead (1987), The Squid and the Whale (2005), Certified Copy (2010)
Films and filmmakers are subject to change.

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

Look for other Film Studies courses under History, Culture and Writing/film studies at www.citylit.ac.uk.