Sex, Modernism and Auteurs: European Cinema in the 1960s
In the 1960s European cinema invariably suggested an art cinema characterised by formal innovation, thematic and psychological complexity, and a bold approach to sex. This course explores a decade of European cinema through a range of groundbreaking films, key directors and their approach to film style and the human condition, film movements, key concepts and critical accounts of the period.
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This online film studies course considers developments in European cinema of the 1960s. We will acknowledge the flourishing of European cinema in the decade and a half after the second world war and which paved the way for a more radical European cinema of the 1960s, one in which concepts such as art cinema, authorship and realism (and in particular, psychological and sexual realism) would come to define both its international reputation and the concept of European cinema itself.
We will consider the films, directors and movements which are recognised as exemplifying these developments and concepts, while also noting the presence of a more explicitly sensationalist genre cinema of the period, one often equally marked by authorship and addressed to a specialist audience, but which amplifies the tendency in European cinema of the 1960s (and since) to challenge the limits of acceptability. A range of critical accounts of European cinema of the period will provide a context for our approach to, and reflection upon, the above. We will be watching a range of films, including Les Amants (1958), Hiroshima Mon Amour (1959), The 400 Blows (1959), Breathless (1960), La Dolce Vita (1960), L'Avventura (1960), Le Mepris (1963), The Servant (1963), 81/2 (1963), Red Desert (1964), Repulsion (1965), Blow-Up (1966), Daisies (1966), Persona (1966), Belle de Jour (1967), Le Samouraï (1967), Barbarella (1968), Theorem (1968) and others.
What will we cover?
• Developments in European cinema of the 1960s • Key films, directors and movements • Art cinema as film style and cultural phenomenon • Popular/genre cinema • Key themes, such as realism and authorship • Critical accounts of European cinema in the 1960s.
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
• Describe and assess developments in European cinema of the 1960s • Identify and assess key films, directors and movements • Describe and assess art cinema as both a film style and a cultural phenomenon • Describe and assess popular, genre cinema • Identify and assess a range of key themes • Assess European cinema of the 1960s within a critical framework
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 the subject but will also be useful for those wishing to build on existing knowledge in the subject area.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
Screenings of extracts from films, talks by the tutor, reading materials, small and large group discussions. It might also be a good idea to see what you can find out about the subject in advance of the class but this is not essential.
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. The tutor will show extracts from films and you do not have to obtain them.
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.
Jon Wisbey teaches film at City Lit and Morley College. He was for many years a committee member and vice-chair of Chelmsford Film Club, screening contemporary and classic world cinema releases. He has an MA in Film Studies from the University of East Anglia. His teaching focuses on classical and post-classical Hollywood, European cinema, British cinema, film noir and horror cinema.
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.
product
https://www.citylit.ac.uk/sex-modernism-and-auteurs-european-cinema-in-the-1960s287214Sex, Modernism and Auteurs: European Cinema in the 1960shttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/art-history-cinema-HF347-1024.jpg6969GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Film studies/Courses/vm/Film season/Courses/Short Courses/Courses/Short Courses/Humanities/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Film studies/Introductory & general/Courses/Online courses228511771580133851341113417154817311228511771653134111580<p>In the 1960s European cinema invariably suggested an art cinema characterised by formal innovation, thematic and psychological complexity, and a bold approach to sex. This course explores a decade of European cinema through a range of groundbreaking films, key directors and their approach to film style and the human condition, film movements, key concepts and critical accounts of the period.</p>002745038Sex, Modernism and Auteurs: European Cinema in the 1960s6969https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/art-history-cinema-HF347-1024.jpgInStockDaytimeSatOnlineAvailable courses1 to 4 weeksWeekend2026-06-13T00:00:00+00:00Some experienceJun 2026Culture, history & humanitiesHF0546969Sex, Modernism and Auteurs: European Cinema in the 1960s554569Jon Wisbeysex-modernism-and-auteurs-european-cinema-in-the-1960s/hf054-2526<p>In the 1960s European cinema invariably suggested an art cinema characterised by formal innovation, thematic and psychological complexity, and a bold approach to sex. This course explores a decade of European cinema through a range of groundbreaking films, key directors and their approach to film style and the human condition, film movements, key concepts and critical accounts of the period.</p>0000-Available|2026-06-13 00:00:00<p>This online film studies course considers developments in European cinema of the 1960s. We will acknowledge the flourishing of European cinema in the decade and a half after the second world war and which paved the way for a more radical European cinema of the 1960s, one in which concepts such as art cinema, authorship and realism (and in particular, psychological and sexual realism) would come to define both its international reputation and the concept of European cinema itself.</p><p>We will consider the films, directors and movements which are recognised as exemplifying these developments and concepts, while also noting the presence of a more explicitly sensationalist genre cinema of the period, one often equally marked by authorship and addressed to a specialist audience, but which amplifies the tendency in European cinema of the 1960s (and since) to challenge the limits of acceptability. A range of critical accounts of European cinema of the period will provide a context for our approach to, and reflection upon, the above. We will be watching a range of films, including Les Amants (1958), Hiroshima Mon Amour (1959), The 400 Blows (1959), Breathless (1960), La Dolce Vita (1960), L'Avventura (1960), Le Mepris (1963), The Servant (1963), 81/2 (1963), Red Desert (1964), Repulsion (1965), Blow-Up (1966), Daisies (1966), Persona (1966), Belle de Jour (1967), Le Samouraï (1967), Barbarella (1968), Theorem (1968) and others.</p><p>In the 1960s European cinema invariably suggested an art cinema characterised by formal innovation, thematic and psychological complexity, and a bold approach to sex. This course explores a decade of European cinema through a range of groundbreaking films, key directors and their approach to film style and the human condition, film movements, key concepts and critical accounts of the period.</p><p>• Developments in European cinema of the 1960s<br/>• Key films, directors and movements<br/>• Art cinema as film style and cultural phenomenon<br/>• Popular/genre cinema<br/>• Key themes, such as realism and authorship<br/>• Critical accounts of European cinema in the 1960s.</p><p>• Describe and assess developments in European cinema of the 1960s<br/>• Identify and assess key films, directors and movements<br/>• Describe and assess art cinema as both a film style and a cultural phenomenon<br/>• Describe and assess popular, genre cinema<br/>• Identify and assess a range of key themes<br/>• Assess European cinema of the 1960s within a critical framework</p><p>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 the subject but will also be useful for those wishing to build on existing knowledge in the subject area.</p><p>Screenings of extracts from films, talks by the tutor, reading materials, small and large group discussions. It might also be a good idea to see what you can find out about the subject in advance of the class but this is not essential.</p><p>You will require a pen and paper (or laptop/device) but the tutor will provide all other materials such as handouts. The tutor will show extracts from films and you do not have to obtain them.</p><p>Look for other Film Studies courses under History Culture and Writing/Film Studies at www.citylit.ac.uk.</p>Film studiesIntroductory & generalvirtual556945HF054NONESat13/06/26 - 20/06/2610:30 - 13:0010:3013:002 sessions (over 2 weeks)21 to 4 weeksWeekendOnlineOnlineJon WisbeySome experienceAvailable courses2026-06-13T00:00:00+00:00DaytimeJun 2026Culture, history & humanities6969Sex, Modernism and Auteurs: European Cinema in the 1960ssex-modernism-and-auteurs-european-cinema-in-the-1960s/hf054-2526<p>In the 1960s European cinema invariably suggested an art cinema characterised by formal innovation, thematic and psychological complexity, and a bold approach to sex. This course explores a decade of European cinema through a range of groundbreaking films, key directors and their approach to film style and the human condition, film movements, key concepts and critical accounts of the period.</p>0000-Available|2026-06-13 00:00:00<p>This online film studies course considers developments in European cinema of the 1960s. We will acknowledge the flourishing of European cinema in the decade and a half after the second world war and which paved the way for a more radical European cinema of the 1960s, one in which concepts such as art cinema, authorship and realism (and in particular, psychological and sexual realism) would come to define both its international reputation and the concept of European cinema itself.</p><p>We will consider the films, directors and movements which are recognised as exemplifying these developments and concepts, while also noting the presence of a more explicitly sensationalist genre cinema of the period, one often equally marked by authorship and addressed to a specialist audience, but which amplifies the tendency in European cinema of the 1960s (and since) to challenge the limits of acceptability. A range of critical accounts of European cinema of the period will provide a context for our approach to, and reflection upon, the above. We will be watching a range of films, including Les Amants (1958), Hiroshima Mon Amour (1959), The 400 Blows (1959), Breathless (1960), La Dolce Vita (1960), L'Avventura (1960), Le Mepris (1963), The Servant (1963), 81/2 (1963), Red Desert (1964), Repulsion (1965), Blow-Up (1966), Daisies (1966), Persona (1966), Belle de Jour (1967), Le Samouraï (1967), Barbarella (1968), Theorem (1968) and others.</p><p>In the 1960s European cinema invariably suggested an art cinema characterised by formal innovation, thematic and psychological complexity, and a bold approach to sex. This course explores a decade of European cinema through a range of groundbreaking films, key directors and their approach to film style and the human condition, film movements, key concepts and critical accounts of the period.</p><p>• Developments in European cinema of the 1960s<br/>• Key films, directors and movements<br/>• Art cinema as film style and cultural phenomenon<br/>• Popular/genre cinema<br/>• Key themes, such as realism and authorship<br/>• Critical accounts of European cinema in the 1960s.</p><p>• Describe and assess developments in European cinema of the 1960s<br/>• Identify and assess key films, directors and movements<br/>• Describe and assess art cinema as both a film style and a cultural phenomenon<br/>• Describe and assess popular, genre cinema<br/>• Identify and assess a range of key themes<br/>• Assess European cinema of the 1960s within a critical framework</p><p>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 the subject but will also be useful for those wishing to build on existing knowledge in the subject area.</p><p>Screenings of extracts from films, talks by the tutor, reading materials, small and large group discussions. It might also be a good idea to see what you can find out about the subject in advance of the class but this is not essential.</p><p>You will require a pen and paper (or laptop/device) but the tutor will provide all other materials such as handouts. The tutor will show extracts from films and you do not have to obtain them.</p><p>Look for other Film Studies courses under History Culture and Writing/Film Studies at www.citylit.ac.uk.</p>Film studiesIntroductory & generalconfigurable
15481580Introductory & generalhttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/humanities/film-studies/introductory-general1/2/285/1177/1580/15481/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Film studies/Introductory & general
